^c/A^W 


University  of  California  •  Berkeley 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON. 


THE 


LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 


A  FUGITIYE  SLATE ; 


CONTAINING  HIS  HISTORY   OF  25  YEAES   IN  BONDAGE,  AND 
HIS  PROVIDENTIAL  ESCAPE. 


WRITTEN    BY    HIMSELF. 


WORCESTER: 
PUBLISHED    BY    JOHN    THOMPSON. 

MDCCCLYI. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1856, 

BY  JOHN  THOMPSON, 
in  the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


WORCESTER: 

PRINTED  BY  C.  HAMILTON, 
PALLADIUM  OFFICE. 


PREFACE. 


It  would  be  an  unprecedented  act  to  send  into  the 
world  a  work  of  the  magnitude  of  this  volume,  without 
a  preface  ;  and  I  am  glad  to  avail  myself  of  the  oppor 
tunity,  which  custom  not  only  allows  but  prescribes,  to 
say  something  of  the  work  before  you.  Its  history  is  as 
follows :  It  was  suggested  to  me  about  two  years  since, 
after  relating  to  many  the  main  facts  relative  to  my 
bondage  and  escape  to  the  land  of  freedom,  that  it  would 
be  a  desirable  thing  to  put  these  facts  into  permanent 
form.  I  first  sought  to  discover  what  had  been  said  by 
other  partners  in  bondage  once,  but  in  freedom  now,  and 
from  what  States  they  came.  I  found  many  of  my 
brethren  from  other  and  remote  States,  had  written  on 
the  subject,  but  scarcely  any  from  Maryland.  I  am 
aware  that  now,  when  public  opinion  makes  it  no  mar 
tyrdom  to  denounce  slavery,  there  are  multitudes  of  men 


VI.  PREFACE. 

that  grow  bold,  and  wield  a  powerful  weapon  against  this 
great  evil ;  and  even  school  boys  daringly  denounce  a 
system,  the  enormity  of  which  they  can1  not  appreciate, 
surely  I  thought  it  may  be  permitted  to  one  who  has 
worn  the  galling  yoke  of  bondage,  to  say  something  of 
its  pains,  and  something  of  that  freedom  which,  if  he 
should  not  succeed  in  accurately  defining,  he  can  truly 
say  he  will  ever  admire  and  love. 

JOHN  THOMPSON. 
Worcester,  Mass.,  May,  1856. 


Life  of  John  Thompson,  a  Fugitive  Slave, 


CHAP.  I. 

I  WAS  born  in  Maryland,  in  1812,  and  was  slave  to  a 
Mrs.  Wagar.  She  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 
The  sons  were  all  farmers,  owning  large  tracts  of  land ; 
which  were  well  stocked  with  slaves,  and  other  animal 
property ! 

When  her  youngest  son,  James  H.,  was  about  forty  or 
forty-five  years  of  age,  he  owned  the  plantation  upon 
which  he  and  his  mother  lived,  and  on  which  I  was  born. 
On  this  plantation  were  about  two  hundred  slaves,  young 
and  old  ;  of  which  fifty  belonged  to  him,  and  the  remain 
der  to  his  mother  ;  but  all  were  in  his  charge. 

Mr.  J.  H.  W.  had  two  children,  John  and  Elizabeth. 
His  wife  died  befure  I  could  remember,  leaving  the  chil 
dren  under  the  supervision  of  the  Grandmother.  Eliza 
beth  was  about  thirteen,  and  John  ten  years  of  age. 

My  parents  had  seven  children,  five  sons  and  two 
daughters.  My  father  and  mother  were  field  hands.  My 
younger  sister  was  house  girl  and  ladies'  maid,  while  the 
elder  was  given  to  one  of  the  sons.  The  rest  of  us  were 
too  small  to  work,  the  eldest  being  only  eleven  years  old. 

The  first  act  of  slavery  which  I  recorded  in  my  rnem- 

2 


14  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

ory,  was  the  sale  of  my  elder  sister,  who  belonged  to 
Henry  Wagar,  brother  to  J.  H.,  and  who  lived  three 
miles  from  our  plantation.  My  mother  heard  of  the  sale, 
which  was  on  Saturday,  and  on  Sunday  took  us  with  her 
to  see  our  beloved  sister,  who  was  then  in  the  yard  -with 
the  trader's  drove,  preparatory  to  being  removed  far 
south,  on  the  Monday  following.  After  travelling  six 
miles,  we  arrived  at  our  place  of  destination.  Mother, 
approaching  the  door  of  the  trader's  house,  fell  upon  her 
knees,  in  tears  begging  to  be  permitted  to  see  her  impris 
oned  daughter,  who  was  soon  to  be  dragged  away  from 
her  embrace,  probably  to  be  seen  no  more  in  the  flesh. 
It  was  not  his  custom  to  admit  slaves  into  his  yard  to  see 
their  friends :  but  at  this  time,  his  heart  seemed  to  be 
moved  with  compassion,  for  he  opened  the  door,  telling 
us  to  go  in,  which  we  did. 

Here,  the  first  thing  that  saluted  my  ears,  was  the  rat 
tling  of  the  chains  upon  the  limbs  of  the  poor  victims. 
It  seemed  to  me  to  be  a  hell  upon  earth,  emblematical  of 
that  dreadful  dungeon  where  the  wicked  are  kept,  until 
the  day  of  God's  retribution,  and  where  their  torment 
ascends  up  forever  and  ever. 

As  soon  as  my  sister  saw  our  mother,  she  ran  to  her 
and  fell  upon  her  neck,  but  was  unable  to  speak  a  word. 
There  was  a  scene  which  angels  witnessed ;  there  were 
tears  which,  I  believe,  were  bottled  and  placed  in  God's 
depository,  there  to  be  reserved  until  the  day  when  He 
shall  pour  His  wrath  upon  this  guilty  nation. 

The  trader,  becoming  uneasy  at  this  exciting  scene, 
and  fearing  the  rest  of  the  drove  would  become  dissatis- 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  15 

fied  with  their  situations,  permitted  sister  to  leave  the 
yard  for  a  few  moments,  to  keep  mother's  company.  He 
did  not  watch  her,  as  I  thought  he  would  have  done,  hut 
permitted  her  to  go  about  with  mother,  and  even  to  ac 
company  us  part  of  our  way  towards  home.  He  ordered 
dinner  for  us,  hut  not  one  of  us  could  eat  one  mouthful. 
I  thought  my  heart  would  hreak,  as  the  time  drew  near 
for  our  departure.  I  dreaded  the  time  when  I  should 
bid  farewell  to  my  beloved  sister,  never  more  to  see  her 
face,  never  more  to  meet  her  in  the  paternal  circle,  never 
more  to  hear  her  fervent  prayer  to  the  throne  of  God. 

I  watched  the  sun,  as  it  seemed  to  descend  behind  the 
western  hills ;  but  this  did  not  stop  its  progress.  The 
time  soon  arrived  when  we  must  go.  When  mother  was 
about  to  bid  farewell  to  my  sister,  and  reached  out  her 
hand  to  grasp  hers,  she  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  ex 
claiming  aloud.  "  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  me  ! " 

The  trader,  seeing  such  parental  affection,  as  he  stood 
by,  hung  down  Jiis  head  and  wiped  the  tears  from  his 
eyes  ;  and  to  relieve  himself  from  a  scene  so  affecting,  he 
said,  "  Mary,  you  can  go  some  way  with  your  mother,  and 
return  soon." 

Turning  to  mother,  he  said,  "  old  woman,  I  will  do  the 
best  I  can  for  your  daughter ;  I  will  sell  her  to  a  good 
master." 

We  then  left  the  house.  After  going  with  us  two 
miles,  sister  Mary,  in  obedience  to  orders  and  her  prom 
ise,  could  go  no  farther,  and  she  said,  "  Mother,  I  suppose 
I  must  go  back." 

Here  another  heart-rending  scene  took  place.     I  well 


16  LIFE   OP  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

remember  her  parting  words,  "  Mother,"  she  said,  "  don't 
grieve,  for  though  we  are  separated  in  body,  our  separa 
tion  is  only  for  a  season,  and  if  we  are  faithful  we  shall 
meet  again  where  partings  are  no  more.  Mother,  will 
you  try  to  meet  me  ?" 

We  all  promised  to  do  so.  We  then  parted,  and  have 
never  heard  directly  from  her  since.  She  was,  as  we  af 
terwards  understood,  taken  to  Alabama,  and  sold  at  pub 
lic  auction.  But,  if  I  am  faithful,  I  shall  see  her  again. 

Hark  and  hear  the  captive  pleading, 

Listen  to  her  plaintive  cry, 
While  in  floods  her  tears  are  falling; 

Must  I,  in  my  bondage  die  ? 
When  I  dwelt  in  my  own  country, 

With  my  children  by  my  side, 
Cruel  white  men  coming  on  me, 

Dragg'd  me  o'er  the  deep  so  wide. 
Oft  I  think  of  my  sweet  children, 

And  my  dear  companion  too  ; 
If  on  earth  I  no  more  see  them, 

And  have  bid  a  last  adieu, 
I  must  try  to  live  so  faithful 

To  that  God  who  rules  above, 
That  I  may  obtain  His  favor, 

And  may  dwell  with  Him  in  love. 
I  must  wait  until  that  moment, 

When  the  trump  of  God  shall  sound; 
Calling  nations  all  together, 

Then  to  hear  their  final  doom ! 
There  I'll  see  my  dear  companion, 

Whom  long  since  I  bade  adieu ; 
There  I'll  see  my  smiling  children, 

And  my  blessed  Jesus,  too ! 
Then  let  cares,  like  a  wild  deluge, 

Boll  across  this  mortal  frame  ; 
Death  will  soon  burst  off  my  fetters, 

Soon  'twill  break  the  tyrant's  chain  ; 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  17 

Then  I'll  pass  from  grace  to  glory, 

Then  I'll  sing  my  suffering  o'er ; 
For  then  grief,  and  pain,  and  sorrow, 

Shall  be  felt  and  known  no  more. 


CHAP.  II. 

ALL  the  slaves,  both  men  and  women,  except  those 
about  the  house,  were  forced  to  work  in  the  field.  We 
raised  corn,  wheat  and  tobacco. 

The  provision  for  each  slave,  per  week,  was  a  peck  of 
corn,  two  dozens  of  herrings,  and  about  four  pounds  of 
meat.  The  children,  under  eight  years  of  age,  were  not 
allowed  anything.  The  women  were  allowed  four  weeks 
of  leisure  at  child  birth  ;  after  which,  they  were  compel 
led  to  leave  their  infants  to  provide  for  themselves,  and  to 
the  mercy  of  Providence,  while  they  were  again  forced  to 
labor  in  the  field,  sometimes  a  mile  from  the  house. 

Often  the  older  children  had  to  take  care  of  the  young 
er,  sometimes  the  mother,  until  her  babe  was  about  three 
or  four  months  old,  if  she  had  a  kind  and  humane  over 
seer,  could  come  to  the  house  once  between  meals,  and 
nurse  her  child  ;  but  such  favors  were  but  seldom  grant 
ed.  More  frequently  the  mother  must  take  her  child 
with  her  to  the  field,  place  it  at  the  side  where  she  could 
see  it  as  she  came  to  the  end  of  the  row  ;  moving  it  along 
as  she  moved  from  row  to  row. 

The  slaves  were  called  out  from  their  quarters  at  day 
light.  The  breakfast  must  be  prepared  and  eaten  before 

#2 


18  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

going  to  work,  and  if  not  done  before  the  overseer  called 
them  to  the  field,  they  must  go  without  it ;  and  often  the 
children,  being  asleep  at  this  time,  were  of  course  obliged 
to  go  without  their  breakfast. 

The  slaves7  clothing  was,  in  winter,  one  shirt,  pants 
and  jacket,  without  lining,  shoes  and  stockings.  In  sum 
mer,  one  shirt  and  one  pair  of  pants  of  coarse  linen. 

When  the  tobacco  is  ripe,  or  nearly  so,  there  are  fre 
quently  worms  in  it,  about  two  inches  long,  and  as  large 
as  one's  thumb.  They  have  horns,  and  are  called  tobac 
co  worms.  They  are  very  destructive  to  the  tobacco 
crops,  and  must  be  carefully  picked  off  by  the  hands,  so 
as  not  to  break  the  leaves,  which  are  very  easily  broken. 
But  careful  as  the  slaves  may  be,  they  cannot  well  avoid 
leaving  some  of  these  worms  on  the  plants.  It  was  a 
custom  of  Mr.  Wagar  to  follow  after  the  slaves,  to  see  if 
he  could  find  any  left,  and  if  so,  to  compel  the  person  in 
whose  row  they  were  found,  to  eat  them.  This  was  done 
to  render  them  more  careful.  It  may  seem  incredible  to 
my  readers,  but  it  is  a  fact. 

My  mistress  and  her  family  were  all  Episcopalians. 
The  nearest  church  was  five  miles  from  our  plantation, 
and  there  was  no  Methodist  church  nearer  than  ten  miles. 
So  we  went  to  the  Episcopal  church,  but  always  came 
home  as  we  went,  for  the  preaching  was  above  our  com 
prehension,  so  that  we  could  understand  but  little  that 
was  said.  But  soon  the  Methodist  religion  was  brought 
among  us,  and  preached  in  a  manner  so  plain  that  the 
way-faring  man,  though  a  fool,  could  not  err  therein. 

This  new  doctrine  produced  great  consternation  among 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  19 

the  slaveholders.  It  was  something  which  they  could  not 
understand.  It  brought  glad  tidings  to  the  poor  bond 
man  ;  it  bound  up  the  broken-hearted  ;  it  opened  the 
prison  doors  to  them  that  were  bound,  and  let  the  captive 
go  free. 

As  soon  as  it  got  among  the  slaves,  it  spread  from 
plantation  to  plantation,  until  it  reached  ours,  where  there 
were  but  few  who  did  not  experience  religion.  The  slave 
holders,  becoming  much  alarmed  at  this  strange  phenom 
enon,  called  a  meeting,  at  which  they  appointed  men  to 
patrol  the  country,  and  break  up  these  religious  assem 
blies.  This  was  done,  and  many  a  poor  victim  had  his 
back  severely  cut,  for  simply  going  to  a  prayer  meeting. 

At  length,  Mr.  Wagar  bougHt  at  auction  a  man  named 
Martin,  who  was  a  fiddler.  As  slaves  are  very  fond  of 
dancing,  our  master  thought  that  fiddling  would  bring 
them  back  to  their  former  ignorant  condition,  and  bought 
this  man  for  that  purpose.  It  had  the  desired  effect  upon 
most  of  them,  and  what  the  whip  failed  to  accomplish, 
the  fiddle  completed,  for  it  is  no  easy  matter  to  drive  a 
soul  from  God  by  cruelty,  when  it  may  easily  be  drawn 
away  by  worldly  pleasures  ;  and  fiddling  I  think  is  bet 
ter  appropriated  to  this  purpose,  than  anything  else  I 
could  mention. 


CHAP.  III. 

MR.  W.   was  a  very  cruel  slave  driver.     He  would 
whip  unreasonably  and  without  cause.     He  was  often 


20  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

from  home,  and  not  unfrequently  three  or  four  weeks  at 
a  time,  leaving  the  plantation,  at  such  times,  in  care  of 
the  overseer.  When  he  returned,  he  sometimes  ordered 
all  the  slaves  to  assemble  at  the  house,  when  he  would 
whip  them  all  round  ;  a  little  whipping  being,  as  he 
thought,  necessary,  in  order  to  secure  the  humble  sub 
mission  of  the  slaves. 

Sometimes  he  forced  one  slave  to  flog  another,  the  hus 
band  his  wife ;  the  mother  her  daughter  ;  or  the  father 
his  son.  This  practice  seemed  very  amusing  to  himself 
and  his  children,  especially  to  his  son,  John,  who  failed 
not  to  walk  in  his  father's  footsteps,  by  carrying  into  ef 
fect  the  same  principle,  until  he  became  characteristically 
a  tyrant. 

When  at  home  from  school,  he  would  frequently  re 
quest  his  grandmother's  permission,  to  call  all  the  black 
children  from  their  quarters  to  the  house,  to  sweep  and 
clear  the  yard  from  wreeds,  &c.,  in  order  that  he  might 
oversee  them.  Then,  whip  in  hand,  he  walked  about 
among  them,  and  sometimes  lashed  the  poor  little  crea 
tures,  who  had  on  nothing  but  a  shirt,  and  often  nothing 
at  all,  until  the  blood  streamed  down  their  backs  and 
limbs,  apparently  for  no  reason  whatever,  except  to  grat 
ify  his  own  cruel  fancy. 

This  was  pleasing  to  his  father  and  grandmother,  who, 
accordingly,  considered  him  a  very  smart  boy  indeed! 
Often,  my  mother,  after  being  in  the  field  all  day,  upon 
returning  at  night,  would  find  her  little  children's  backs 
mangled  by  the  lash  of  John  Wagar,  or  his  grandmother  ; 
for  if  any  child  dared  to  resist  the  boy,  she  would  order 


A   FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  21 

the  cook  to  lash  it  with  a  cowhide,  kept  for  that  purpose. 

I  well  remember  the  tears  of  my  poor  mother,  as  they 
fell  upon  my  back,  while  she  was  bathing  and  dressing 
niy  wounds.  But  there  was  no  redress  for  her  grievance, 
she  had  no  appeal  for  justice,  save  to  high  heaven;  for  if 
she  complained,  her  own  back  would  be  cut  in  a  similar 
manner. 

Sometimes  she  wept  and  sobbed  all  night,  but  her  tears 
must  be  dried  and  her  sobs  hushed,  ere  the  overseer's 
horn  sounded,  which  it  did  at  early  dawn,  lest  they  should 
betray  her.  And  she,  unrefreshed,  must  shake  off  her 
dull  slumbers,  and  repair,  at  break  of  day,  to  the  field, 
leaving  her  little  ones  to  a  similar,  or  perhaps,  worse  fate 
on  the  coming  day,  and  dreading  a  renewal  of  her  own 
sorrows  the  coming  evening.  Great  God,  what  a  succes 
sion  of  crimes  !  Is  there  no  balm  in  Gilead  ;  is  there  no 
physician  there,  that  thy  people  can  be  healed  ? 

Martin,  the  fiddler,  was  bought  for  a  term  of  ten  years, 
after  which  he  was  to  be  freed.  He  was  a  good  hand, 
was  called  a  faithful,  humble  servant,  and  was  much 
liked  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  term  was  now  expired, 
according  to  the  bill  of  sale.  Of  this  he  was  fully  sen 
sible,  but  his  administrator  being  at  the  distance  of  sev 
enty-five  miles  from  him,  Martin  had  no  means  of  seeing 
him,  nor  of  informing  him  that  he  was  still  held  in  bond 
age,  beyond  the  time  of  contract. 

Therefore,  feeling  himself  at  liberty,  he  consequently 
began  to  manifest  some  signs  of  his  freedom ;  for,  when 
the  overseer  would  drive  him  as  usual,  he  wanted  him  to 
understand  that  what  he  now  did  was  optional  with  him- 


22  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON", 

self,  since  he  was  now  a  free  man,  and  had  been  such  for 
eighteen  months. 

The  overseer  took  this  as  an  insult,  "but  would  not  cor 
rect  him  himself,  for  he  feared  the  action  of  Martin's 
administrator.  Accordingly  he  complained  to  Mr.  W., 
upon  his  return  from  a  journey,  upon  which  he  had  been 
absent.  Martin  was  immediately  called  up,  together  with 
all  the  slaves,  that  they  might  witness  the  punishment 
to  which  he  was  subjected,  in  order  that  it  might  prove  a 
warning  to  any  one  who  might  fancy  himself  free. 

None  knew  at  the  time  why  they  were  called ;  they 
only  knew  that  some  one,  and  perhaps  all,  were  to  be 
whipped.  And  immediately  each  one  began  to  inquire 
within  himself,  is  it  I?  They  began  to  consider  if  they 
had  done  anything  worthy  of  punishment.  Their  doubts 
and  fears  were,  however,  soon  ended  by  the  lot  falling  on 
Martin,  who  was  ordered  to  cross  his  hands.  This  was 
in  the  barn  yard.  He,  having  had  his  coarse  shirt 
removed,  and  his  pants  fastened  about  his  hips,  was 
swung  up  to  a  beam  by  his  hands,  in  the  open  shed,  when 
the  overseer  was  ordered  to  lash  him  with  a  cowhide. 
Every  stroke  laid  open  the  flesh  upon  his  back,  and  caus 
ed  the  blood  to  flow.  His  shrieks  and  piteous  cries  of 
"Lord,  have  mercy  on  me  I"  were  heard  at  distant  planta 
tions.  But  they  were  of  no  avail ;  there  was  no  mercy  in 
the  iron  heart  of  his  tormentor.  It  seemed  as  if  death 
alone  could  terminate  his  sufferings.  But  at  length  God 
heard  his  cry,  and  sent  deliverance.  By  a  weak  and  un 
expected  means,  He  confounded  the  mighty. 

John,  who  at  this  time  was  about  fifteen  years  of  age, 


A   FUGITIVE    SLAVE. 

was  out  gunning,  at  a  distance  from  the  house.  He  heard 
the  piercing  shrieks  of  the  victim,  and  hastened  to  the 
spot,  where  the  frightful  scene  was  being  enacted. 

"  What  is  the  overseer  whipping  Martin  for/7  he  in 
quired  of  his  father. 

His  father  answered  the  question  only  by  bidding  him 
go  to  the  house.  Instead  of  obeying,  Jobn  cocked  his 
gun,  exclaiming  "  by  God,  I'll  kill  that  overseer  !"  at  the 
same  time  pointing  the  weapon  at  the  overseer,  and  bid 
ding  his  father  to  stand  out  of  his  way. 

The  overseer,  becoming  frightened,  ran  to  Mr.  Wagar 
for  safety,  well  knowing  that  John  would  execute  his 
threat,  and  that  separated  from  Mr.  W.  there  was  no 
safety  for  him. 

"  Put  up  that  gun,  John,"  said  his  father. 

"  No  I  won't,"  replied  John,  "  stand  away,  stand  away, 
I'll  kill  that  d— d  overseer  !" 

The  father  was  afraid  to  go  towards  his  own  son,  lest 
in  the  frenzy  of  exasperation,  he  should  murder  him. 
So  the  overseer,  conducted  by  Mr.  W.,  for  safety,  left  the 
farm  for  two  days,  until  John's  anger  was  appeased. 
Martin  was  then  cut  down  by  John,  but  was  not  able  to 
work  for  several  days. 

About  four  or  five  months  after  this  occurrence,  his 
administrator  arrived  at  the  plantation.  He  seemed 
much  surprised  that  Martin  had  been  held  so  long  over 
his  time,  and  said  that  Mr.  W.  should  pay  him  for  it. 
He  said  nothing  of  the  unjust  punishment  Martin  had 
received,  and  whether  there  was  ever  any  redress  for  it, 
I  never  knew.  Martin  left  this  plantation  for  a  better  one. 


24  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

This  was  the  only  good  act  of  John  Wagar,  of  which 
I  ever  knew.  Ever  afterwards  he  was  fully  equal  to  his 
father  in  cruelty.  Not  many  years  afterwards,  he  whip 
ped  a  slave  woman  to  death,  for  taking  a  glass  of  rum 
out  of  his  jug,  which  he  thought  he  had  lost. 

This  woman's  husband  generally  kept  liquor  in  his 
house,  where  some  was  found,  when  search  was  made  in 
the  slave's  quarters  for  the  lost  rum.  She  said  that  her 
husband  had  bought  it,  but  her  assertion  was  not  credit 
ed.  Her  husband  belonged  to  a  Mr.  Morton,  about  five 
miles  distant,  and  came  on  Saturdays  to  see  his  wife. 
The  woman's  name  was  Minta ;  she  was  the  mother  of 
six  children.  She  was  whipped  to  make  her  confess  she 
was  guilty,  when  she  was  not ;  and  she  finally  confessed. 
He  whipped  her  one  half  hour,  to  force  a  confession; 
after  which  he  whipped  another  half  hour  for  a  crime 
which  she  never  committed.  This  caused  her  death, 
which  occurred  three  days  after. 

This  was  about  the  commencement  of  John's  adminis 
tration,  for  after  he  had  finished  his  education  and  return 
ed  home,  his  father  gave  up  the  management  of  the  plan 
tation  to  him. 

While  young  and  attending  school,  his  uncle  gave  him 
a  beautiful  little  pony,  saddle  and  bridle.  Then  this 
young  gentleman  must  have  a  private  body  servant  for 
himself,  and  he  claimed  the  honor  of  making  choice  of 
one  for  himself,  from  among  the  slave  children.  Accord 
ingly  he  made  choice  of  myself. 

Then  my  business  was  to  wait  upon  him,  attend  to  his 
horse,  and  go  with  him  to  and  from  school ;  for  neglect 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  ZO 

of  which,  as  he  fancied,  I  often  got  severe  floggings  from 
him.  Still,  I  did  not  wish  my  situation  changed,  for  I 
considered  my  station  a  very  high  one  ;  preferring  an  oc 
casional  licking,  to  being  thrown  out  of  office. 

Being  a  gentleman's  body  servant,  I  had  nothing  more 
to  do  with  plantation  affairs,  and,  consequently,  thought 
myself  much  superior  to  those  children  who  had  to  sweep 
the  yard.  I  was  about  twelve  years  old  when  given  to 
John  Wagar. 


CHAP.  IV, 

FIDDLING  and  dancing  being  done  away  wi'th  among 
the  slaves,  by  the  disappearance  of  Martin's  fiddle,  Chris 
tianity  seemed  to  gain  ground,  and  a  glorious  revival  of 
religion  sprang  up,   which  required  another   legal  pro 
vision  to  suppress.     This  was  the  new  provision :  that 
the  patrolers  should  search  the  slave  quarters,  on  every 
plantation,  from  whence,  if  they  found  any  slaves  absent 
after  night  fall,  they  should  receive,  when  found,  thirty- 
nine  lashes  upon  the  naked  back.     When  the  slaves  were 
caught,  if  a  constable  were  present,  he  could  administer 
the  punishment  immediately.     If  no  constable  were  pres 
ent,  then  the  truant  slave  must  be  taken  before  a  justice 
of  the  peace,  where  he  must   receive  not  less  than  five, 
nor  more  than  thirty-nine  lashes,  unless  he  could  show  a 
pass,  either  from  his  master  or  his  overseer.     Many  were 

a 


26  LIFE    OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

thus  whipped,  both  going  to  and  returning  from  night 
meetings ;  or,  worse '  still,  often  taken  from  their  knees 
while  at  prayer,  and  cruelly  whipped. 

But  this  did  not  stop  the  progress  of  God's  mighty 
work,  for  he  had  laid  the  foundation  for  the  building,  and 
his  workmen  determined  to  carry  on  the  work  until  the 
capstone  was  laid. 

Many  slaves  were  sold  farther  south,  for  going  to  meet 
ings.  They  would  sometimes  travel  four  or  five  miles, 
attend  meeting  and  return  in  time  for  the  overseer's  horn. 

Mr.  Wagar  had  a  valuable  slave  named  Aaron,  a  car 
penter  by  trade,  and  an  excellent  workman  ;  a  man  of 
true  piety  and  great  physical  strength.  He  never  sub 
mitted  to  be  flogged,  unless  compelled  by  superior  force ; 
and  although  he  was  often  whipped,  still  it  did  not  con 
quer  his  will,  nor  lessen  his  bravery ;  so  that,  whenever 
his  master  attempted  to  whip  him,  it  was  never  without 
the  assistance  of,  at  least,  five  or  six  men.  Such  men 
there  were  who  were  always  ready  to  lend  their  aid  in 
such  emergencies.  Aaron  was  too  valuable  to  shoot,  and 
his  master  did  not  wish  to  sell  him  ;  but  at  last,  growing 
tired  of  calling  on  help  to  whip  a  slave,  and  knowing  that 
neglecting  to  do  this  would  appear  like  a  submission  to 
the  negro,  which  in  time  might  prove  dangerous,  since 
other  slaves,  becoming  unruly,  might  resist  him,  until  he 
could  not  flog  any  of  them  without  help.  He  finally 
concluded  to  sell  Aaron,  much  as  he  disliked  it. 

The  slave  was  at  work  at  the  time,  sawing  heavy  tim 
ber,  to  build  a  barn.  The  manner  of  sawing  such  tim 
ber,  at  the  South,  is  by  what  they  call  a  whip  saw.  A 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE,  27 

scaffold,  about  ten  feet  high,  being  erected,  the  logs  to  be 
sawed  are  placed  thereon,  when  one  man  is  placed  above, 
and  another  below,  who  alternately  pull  and  push  the 
saw,  thus  forcing  it  through  the  logs. 

Aaron  was  busy  at  this  kind  of  work,  when  he  observ 
ed 'several  strange  visitors  approaching  him,  whose  busi 
ness  he  did  not  at  first  suspect.  He  was  requested  to 
come  down  from  the  scaffold,  as  one  of  the  gentlemen 
wished  to  talk  with  him  about  building  a  barn.  He  at 
once  refused  to  comply  with  the  request,  for  having  seen 
the  same  trader  before,  he  soon  surmised  his  business, 
and  supposed  that  he,  himself,  was  sold. 

At  this  refusal,  they  commenced  pelting  him  with 
stcnes,  chips,  or  whatever  else  they  could  find  to  throw 
at  him,  until  they  finally  forced  him  down.  He  sprang 
from  the  scaffold,  axe  in  hand,  and  commenced  trying  to 
cut  his  way  through  them ;  but,  being  defeated,  he  was 
knocked  down,  put  in  irons,  taken  to  the  drove  yard,  and 
beaten  severely,  but  not  until  he  had  badly  wounded  two 
of  his  captors. 

His  wife,  being  at  the  house  spinning  wool,  did  not 
hear  of  this  until  night.  In  the  anguish  of  her  heart, 
she  ran,  weeping  bitterly,  from  one  plantation  to  another, 
in  search  of  some  kind  slaveholder  who  would  buy  her 
husband.  But,  alas,  she  could  find  none. 

Aaron  was  kept  confined  in  the  jail  yard  two  weeks, 
during  every  day  of  which  he  was  whipped.  Finally  he 
broke  jail  and  made  his  escape.  The  trader  came  early 
next  morning  to  his  jail,  but  Aaron  was  not  there.  At 
that  time  the  slaves  knew  little  of  the  friendly  guidance 


28  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

of  the  north  star,  and  therefore  lingered  about  in  swamps 
and  among  bushes,  where  they  were  fed  by  their  fellow 
servants  during  the  night,  instead  of*  fleeing  to  the  north. 

In  this  way  Aaron  remained  concealed  nearly  one  year, 
after  which  his  wife  got  a  man  to  purchase  him,  a  run 
ning.  Then  Uncle  Aaron  came  home  to  his  new  master, 
where  he  was  when  I  left  the  South. 

Matters  continued  in  about  the  same  course  until  the 
year  1822,  when  a  change  took  place  on  our  planta 
tion,  caused  by  the  death  of  old  Mistress,  which  event 
happened  in  October  of  that  year.  Now  her  slaves  must 
be  divided  among  her  children  and  grand  children.  Now 
we  must  pass  jn  to  other  hands,  some  for  better,  some  for 
worse. 

The  estate  was  divided  the  same  month  in  which  old 
Mistress  died.  The  slaves  were  also  divided,  and  each 
one  was  to  go  to  his  new  home  on  the  first  of  January, 
1823.  My  father's  family  fell  to  Mr.  George  Thomas, 
who  was  a  cruel  man,  and  all  the  slaves  feared  much  that 
they  should  fall  to  him.  He  was  a  very  bad  man.  He 
fed  his  slaves  well,  but  drove  and  whipped  them  most 
unmercifully,  and  not  unfrequently  selling  them. 

The  time  drew  near  for  our  departure,  and  sorrowful 
it  was.  Every  heart  was  sad  ;  every  countenance  down 
cast.  Parents  looking  upon  their  darling  children 
would  say,  "  is  it  possible  that  I  must  soon  bid  them 
adieu,  possibly  forever  !"  Some  rejoiced  in  hope  of  a 
better  situation,  while  others  mourned,  fearing  a  worse 
one.  Christmas  came,  but  without  bringing  the  usual 
gladness  and  joy.  We  met  together  in  prayer  meeting, 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  29 

and  petitioned  for  heavenly  strength  to  sustain  our  feeble 
frames.  These  were  continued  during  holiday  week, 
from  Christmas  to  New  Year's  day,  when  slaves  are  not 
to  be  molested ;  consequently,  no  patrolers  annoyed  us. 

New  Year's,  that  sorrowful  day  for  us,  at  length  arriv 
ed.  Each  one  weeping  while  they  went  round,  taking 
leave  of  parents  or  children,  for  some  children  and  pa 
rents  were  separated,  as  were  also  husbands  and  wives. 
Our  meetings  were  now  broken  up,  and  our  separation 
accomplished. 


CHAP.  V. 

I  WAS  about  fourteen  years  of  age  when  the  change 
mentioned  in  the  last  chapter,  occurred.  John  Wagar 
claimed  me  by  promise,  as  he  said  my  grandmother  gave 
me  to  him ;  and,  consequently,  bade  me  keep  out  of  sight, 
when  they  came  for  my  father's  family.  This  I  did  by 
hiding  myself  until  the  rest  were  all  gone.  I  did  this 
willingly,  as  I  did  not  want  to  go  to  Mr.  Thomas.  In 
deed,  I  had  rather  forego  the  pleasure  of  being  with  my 
parents  than  live  with  him.  So  I  remained  behind. 

I  had  lived  securely  upon  the  old  plantation  about 
three  months,  when  one  day  I  was  sent  on  an  errand,  two 
or  three  miles  from  home.  There  I  met  Mr.  Thomas, 
who  said  to  me,  "  where  are  you  going  ?"  I  answered  his 

question,  when  he  said,  "  You  belong  to  me ;  come,  go  home 

03 


30  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

with  me."  I  told  him  I  wished  to  return  with  my  er 
rand,  but  he  said  "  No ;  go  right  home  to  my  house, 
where  your  father  and  mother  are.  Don't  you  want  to 
see  your  mother  ?"  I  replied  that  I  did,  for  I  was  afraid 
to  answer  any  other  way. 

This  Mr.  George  Thomas  had  married  my  old  Mis 
tress's  daughter,  and  we  fell  to  him  in  right  of  his  wife. 
I  went  home  with  him  with  a  heavy  heart. 

When  John  "Wagar  heard  of  this  event,  he  said  I  be 
longed  to  him  and  should  come  back ;  but  he  could  not 
accomplish  his  purpose  in  this,  for  being  left  to  Mrs. 
Thomas,  he  could  not  hold  me.  He  then  tried  to  buy 
me,  but  my  new  master  would  not  sell  me,  to  him. 

Soon  after  my  arrival  in  the  family,  Mr.  Thomas  let 
me  to  one  of  his  sons,  named  Henry,  who  was  a  doctor, 
to  attend  his  horse.  This  son  was  unmarried,  lived  a 
bachelor,  and  kept  a  cook  and  waiter.  The  cook  belong 
ed  neither  to  him  nor  his  father,  but  was  hired.  She 
was  a  good  looking  mulatto,  and  was  married  to  a  right 
smart,  intelligent  man,  who  belonged  to  the  doctor's  un 
cle.  One  night,  coming  home  in  haste,  and  wishing  to 
see  his  wife,  he  sent  me  up  stairs  to  request  her  to  come 
down.  Upon  going  up,  I  found  she  was  in  a  room  with 
the  doctor,  the  door  of  wThich  was  fast.  This  I  thought 
lessly  told  her  husband,  who,  upon  her  coming  down  a 
moment  after,  upbraided  her  for  it.  She  denied  it,  and 
afterwards  told  the  doctor,  but  not  till  I  had  gone  to  my 
mother,  sick,  up  to  the  old  man's  plantation. 

The  doctor  was  a  very  intemperate  man.  As  soon  as 
his  cook  told  him  her  story,  he  came  to  his  father  with 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  31 

the  complaint,  that  I  had  left  him  without  his  consent ; 
upon  which  his  father  told  him  to  flog  me.  He  ordered 
me  out  to  the  barn,  when  I  was  scarcely  able  to  hold  up 
my  head,  and  had  to  be  led  by  my  brother. 

Without  saying  what  he  wanted  of  me,  he  stripped  off 
my  clothes  and  then  whipped  me,  beating  me  over  the 
head  until  I  became  senseless,  and  life  was  nearly  extinct. 
I  was  carried  to  my  mother's  quarters,  where  I  lay  five 
weeks,  unable  to  move  without  assistance.  When  I  final 
ly  recovered,  I  did  not  return  to  him,  as  he  did  not  wish 
it,  but  remained  with  my  mother  four  years. 

My  father,  was  a  very  pious  man,  never  complaining,  but 
bearing  every  thing  patiently,  and  praying  for  grace  and 
fortitude  to  help  him  to  overcome  his  trials,  which  he  be 
lieved  would  one  day  be  ended.  He  was  a  good  servant 
and  an  affectionate  parent.  But  new  trials  and  sorrows 
soon  broke  upon  this  quiet  family. 

My  sister,  whose  name  I  must  not  mention,  as  she  is 
now  in  the  North,  and  like  myself,  not  out  of  danger, 
was  old  Mistress's  house  maid.  She  possessed  both 
grace  and  beauty,  and  to-day,  thank  God,  is  a  living  mon 
ument  in  his  temple.  She  was  given  to  Mrs.  Thomas  as 
her  maid,  and  was  much  prized,  because  a  gift  from  her 
mother ;  but  especially  because  she  knew  her  to  be  a  vir 
tuous  girl. 

She  had  found  it  impossible  to  long  keep  a  maid  of 
this  stamp,  for  none  could  escape  the  licentious  passions 
of  her  husband,  who  was  the  father  of  about  one-fourth 
of  the  slaves  on  his  plantation,  by  his  slave  women. 
Mrs.  Thomas  strove  every  way  to  shield  my  sister  from 


32  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

this  monster,  but  he  was  determined  to  accomplish  his 
brutal  designs. 

One  day  during  his  wife's  absence  on  a  visit  to  her 
friends,  being,  as  he  thought,  a  good  opportunity,  he  tried 
to  force  my  sister  to  submit  to  his  wishes.  This  she  de 
feated  by  a  resistance  so  obstinate,  that  he,  becoming  en 
raged,  ordered  two  of  his  men  to  take  her  to  the  barn, 
where  he  generally  whipped  his  slaves  ;  there  to  strip 
off  her  clothes  and  whip  her,  which  was  done,  until  the 
blood  stood  in  puddles  under  her  feet. 

Upon  his  wife's  return,  Mr.  Thomas  told  her  that  my 
sister  had  been  whipped  for  neglect  of  duty.  Of  this 
Mrs.  Thomas  did  not  complain,  as  she  had  no  objection  te 
necessary  floggings.  But  similar  scenes  occuring  quite 
often,  our  Mistress  began  to  suspect  that  sister  was  not 
in  fault,  especially  as  in  her  presence  she  never  neglect 
ed  her  business,  and  these  complaints  only  came  during 
her  absence.  Besides,  she  knew  well  her  husband's  form 
er  practices,  and  at  last  began  to  suspect  that  these  and 
my  sister's  pretended  faults,  were  in  some  way  connect 
ed.  Accordingly,  she  began  to  question  her  maid  con 
cerning  her  offences,  who,  fearing  to  tell  her  plainly, 
knowing  it  would  be  certain  death  to  her,  answered  in 
low  and  trembling  terms,  "  I  must  not  tell  you,  but  you 
may  know  what  it  is  all  for.  If  I  have  done  anything, 
Madam,  contrary  to  your  wishes,  and  do  not  suit  you, 
please  sell  me,  but  do  not  kill  me  without  cause.  Old 
Mistress,  your  mother,  who  is  dead,  and  I  trust  in  heav 
en,  took  great  pains  to  bring  me  up  a  virtuous  girl,  and 
I  will  die  before  I  will  depart  from  her  dying  counsel, 


A   FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  33 

given,  as  you  well  know,  while  we  were  standing  by  her 
dying  bed,'7 

These  words  so  affected  Mrs.  Thomas,  that  she  fainted 
and  was  carried  to  her  bed,  to  which  she  was  confined  by 
sickness  five  or  six  weeks.  Her  husband's  conduct  still 
persisted  in,  finally  caused  her  death,  which  occurred 
four  years  after. 

Mistress  told  sister  that  she  had  best  get  married, 
and  that  if  she  would,  she  would  give  her  a  wedding. 
Soon  after,  a  very  respectable  young  man,  belonging  to 
Mr.  Bowman,  a  wealthy  planter,  and  reputed  to  be  a  good 
master,  began  to  court  my  sister.  This  very  much  pleas 
ed  Mistress,  who  wished  to  hasten  the  marriage.  She 
determined  that  her  maid  should  be  married,  not  as  slaves 
usually  are,  but  that  with  the  usual  matrimonial  ceremo 
nies  should  be  tied  the  knot  to  be  broken  only  by  death. 

The  Sabbath  was  appointed  for  the  marriage,  which 
was  to  take  place  at  the  Episcopal  Church.  I  must  here 
state  that  no  slave  can  be  married  lawfully,  without  a 
line  from  his  or  her  owner.  Mistress  and  all  the  family, 
except  the  old  man,  went  to  church  to  witness  the  mar 
riage  ceremony,  which  was  to  be  performed  by  their  min 
ister,  parson  Reynolds.  The  master  of  Josiah,  my  sister's 
destined  husband,  was  also  at  the  wedding,  for  he  thought 
a  great  deal  of  his  man. 

Mistress  returned  delighted  from  the  wedding,  for  she 
thought  she  had  accomplished  a  great  piece  of  work. 
But  the  whole  affair  only  enraged  her  unfeeling  husband, 
who,  to  be  revenged  upon  the  maid,  proposed  to  sell  her. 
To  this  his  wife  refused  consent.  Although  Mrs.  T.  had 


34:  LIFE    OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

never  told  him  her  suspicions,  or  what  rny  sister  had  said, 
yet  he  suspected  the  truth,  and  determined  to  be  reveng 
ed.  Accordingly,  during  another  absence  of  Mistress, 
he  again  cruelly  whipped  my  sister.  A  continued  repe 
tition  of  these  things  finally  killed  our  Mistress,  who  the 
doctor  said,  died  of  a  broken  heart. 

After  the  death  of  this  friend,  sister  ran  away,  leav 
ing  behind  her  husband  and  one  child,  and  finally  found 
her  way  to  the  North.  None  of  our  family  ever  heard 
from  her  afterwards,  until  I  accidentally  met  her  in  the 
streets  in  Philadelphia.  My  readers  can  imagine  what  a 
meeting  ours  must  have  been.  She  is  again  married  and 
in  prosperity. 


CHAR  VI. 

MY  master,  George  Thomas,  was  a  man  of  wealth,  his 
farm  consisting  of  about  one  thousand  acres  of  land,  well 
stocked  with  slaves.  He  was  as  inhuman  as  he  was  rich, 
and  would  whip  when  no  particle  of  fault  existed  on  the 
part  of  the  slave.  He  would  not  employ  an  overseer 
who  did  not  practice  whipping  one  or  more  slaves  at  least 
once  a  day ;  if  not  a  man,  then  some  weak  or  gray-head 
ed  woman.  Any  overseer  who  would  not  agree  to  these 
terms,  could  find  no  employment  on  Mr.  Thomas's  farm. 

The  .third  year  after  our  arrival  upon  his  plantation, 
he  hired  an  overseer  from  Virginia,  who  was  a  man  after 
his  own  heart,  and  who  commenced  the  work  of  blood- 


A   FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  35 

shed  soon  after  his  arrival  He,  however,  soon  met  with 
his  match. 

On  the  plantation  was  a  slave  named  Ben,  who  was 
highly  prized  by  Mr.  T.,  being,  as  he  thought,  the  best 
and  most  faithful  servant  on  the  farm.  Ben  was  a  reso 
lute  and  brave  man,  and  did  not  fear  death.  Such  cour 
age  did  not  suit  the  overseer,  who  wanted  each  slave  to 
temble  with  fear  when  he  addressed  him.  Ben  was  too- 
high-minded  for  such  humiliation  before  any  insignificant 
overseer.  He  had  philosophically  concluded  that  death 
is  but  death  any  way,  and  that  one  might  as  well  die  by 
hanging  as  whipping  ;  so  he  resolved  not  to  submit  to  be 
whipped  by  the  overseer. 

One  day  in  the  month  of  November,  when  the  slaves 
were  in  the  field  gathering  corn,  which  Ben  was  carting 
to  the  barn,  the  overseer  thought  he  did  not  drive  his 
oxen  fast  enough.  As  soon  then  as  Ben  came  within 
hearing  of  his  voice,  while  returning  from  the  barn,  where 
he  had  just  discharged  his  load,  to  the  field,  the  overseer 

bellowed  to  him  to  drive  faster.     With  this  order  Ben  at- 

I 

tempted  to  comply,  by  urging  his  beasts  to  their  utmost 
speed.  But  all  was  of  no  avail.  As  soon  as  they  met, 
the  overseer  struck  Ben  upon  the  head  with  the  butt  of 
his  whip,  felling  him  to  the  ground.  But  before  he  could 
repeat  the  blow,  Ben  sprang  from  the  ground,  seized  his 
antagonist  by  the  throat  with  one  hand,  while  he  felled 
him  to  the  ground  with  the  other ;  then  jumping  upon 
his  breast,  he  commenced  choking  and  beating  him  at  the 
same  time,  until  he  had  nearly  killed  him.  In  fact  he 
probably  would  have  killed  his  enemy,  had  not  two  of 


36  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

the  slaves  hastened  to  his  rescue,  which  they  with  diffi 
culty  accomplished,  so  firm  and  determined  was  Ben's 
hold  of  him.  For  a  while  the  discomfited  man  was  sense 
less,  his  face  became  of  the  blackness  of  his  hat,  while 
the  blood  streamed  down  his  face. 

When  he  had  recovered  his  senses,  and  was  able  to 
.walk,  he  started  for  the  house,  to  relate  this  sad  circum 
stance  to  Mr.  Thomas.  Ben  loaded  his  cart  and  followed 
after.  No  sooner  had  he  entered  the  barn,  than  his  mas 
ter  sprang  forward  to  seize  him ;  but  Ben  eluded  his 
grasp  and  fled  to  the  woods,  where  he  remained  about 
three  weeks,  when  he  returned  to  his  work. 

No  allusion  was  made  to  the  circumstance  for  about 
five  weeks,  and  Ben  supposed  all  was  past  and  forgot 
ten.  At  length  a  rainy  time  came  on,  during  which  the 
hands  could  neither  labor  in  the  field  nor  elsewhere  out 
of  doors,  but  were  forced  to  work  in  the  corn-house,  shell 
ing  the  corn.  While  all  were  thus  busily  employed,  the 
doors  closed,  there  entered  five  strong  white  men,  besides 
our  master,  armed  with  pistols,  swords,  and  clubs.  What 
a  shocking  sight !  thus  to  take  one  poor  unarmed  negro, 
these  men  must  be  employed,  and  the  county  aroused  to 
action. 

Ben  was  soon  bound  in  hemp  enough,  comparatively 
speaking,  to  rig  a  small  vessel.  Thus  bound,  he  was  led 
to  the  place  of  torture,  where  he  was  whipped  until  his 
entrails  could  be  seen  moving  within  his  body.  Poor 
Ben !  his  crime,  according  to  the  laws  of  Maryland,  was 
punishable  with  death ;  a  penalty  far  more  merciful  than 
the  one  he  received. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  37 

The  manner  of  whipping  on  Mr.  Thomas's  plantation, 
was  to  bind  the  victim  fast,  hands,  body  and  feet,  around 
a  hogshead  or  cask,  so  that  he  was  unable  to  move.  After 
Een  was  thus  flogged,  he  said,  "  I  wish  I  had  killed  the 
overseer,  then  I  should  have  been  hung,  and  an  end  put 
to  my  pain.  If  I  have  to  do  the  like  again,  I  will  kill 
him  and  be  hung  at  once !" 

Ben  was,  for  five  weeks,  unable  to  walk,  or  sit,  or  lie 
down.  He  could  only  rest  upon  his  knees  and  elbows, 
and  his  wounds  became  so  offensive,  that  no  person  could 
long  remain  in  his  presence.  He  crawled  about  upon  his 
hands  and  knees,  gritting  his  teeth  with  pain  and  ven 
geance,  and  often  exclaiming,  "  How  I  wish  I  had  taken 
his  life  I" 

After  this,  Mr.  Thomas  forbade  his  overseers  meddling 
with  Ben,  telling  them  that  he  would  kill  them  if  they 
did  ;  also,  that  he  was  a  good  hand,  and  needed  no  driv 
ing.  When  Ben  got  well,  Mr.  Thomas  knowing  his  dis 
position,  was  afraid  to  go  near  or  speak  to  him ;  conse 
quently,  he  was  sent  to  a  distant  part  of  the  farm  to- 
work  by  himself,  nor  was  he  ever  again  struck  by  master 
or  overseer. 

Ben  was  a  brave  fellow,  nor  did  this  flogging  lessen 
his  bravery  in  the  least.  Nor  is  Ben  the  only  brave 
slave  at  the  South ;  there  are  many  there  who  would 
rather  be  shot  than  whipped  by  any  man. 

After  I  had  learned  to  read,  I  was  very  fond  of  read 
ing  newspapers,  when  I  could  get  them.  One  day  in  the 
year  1830,  I  picked  up  a  piece  of  old  newspaper  contain 
ing  the  speech  of  J.  Q.  Adams,  in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  uDon 

4 


38  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

a  petition  of  the  ladies  of  Massachusetts,  praying  for  the 
abolition  of  slavery  in  the  District  of  Columbia.  This  I 
kept  hid  away  for  some  months,  and  read  it  until  it  was 
so  worn  that  I  could  scarce  make  out  the  letters. 

While  reading  this  speech,  my  heart  leaped  with  joy. 
I  spent  many  Sabbaths  alone  in  the  woods,  meditating 
upon  it.  I  then  found  out  that  there  was  a  place  where 
the  negro  was  regarded  as  a  man,  and  not  as  a  brute ; 
where  he  might  enjoy  the  "  inalienable  right  of  life,  lib 
erty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness  ";  and  where  he  could 
walk  unfettered  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the 
land. 

These  thoughts  were  constantly  revolving  in  my  mind, 
and  I  determined  to  see,  ere  long,  the  land  from  whence 
echoed  that  noble  voice  ;  where  man  acknowledged  a  differ 
ence  between  his  brother  man  and  a  beast ;  and  where  I 
could  "worship  God  under  my  own  vine  and  fig  tree,  with 
none  to  molest  or  make  afraid." 

Little  did  Mr.  Adams  know,  when  he  was  uttering  that 
speech,  that  he  was  "opening  the  eyes  of  the  blind"; 
that  he  was  breaking  the  iron  bands  from  the  limbs  of 
one  poor  slave,  and  setting  the  captive  free.  But  bread 
cast  upon  the  waters,  will  be  found  and  gathered  after 
many  days. 

But  Mr.  Adams  has  gone  from  hope  to  reward,  and 
while  his  mortal  body  is  laying  in  the  dust  of  the  earth, 
awaiting  the  summons  for  the  re-union  of  soul  and  body, 
his  spirit  is  with  God  in  his  kingdom  above. 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  39 

CHAP.  VII. 

NEAR  our  plantation  lived  as  cruel  a  planter  as  ever 
God  suffered  to  live,  named  doctor  Jackson  ;  who  was  the 
owner  of  a  large  farm,  with  several  slaves.  He  was  des 
titute  of  heart,  soul,  and  conscience  ;  while  his  wife  was 
of  the  same  character.  She  often  induced  him  to  ill- 
treat  the  slaves,  especially  those  about  the  house ;  she 
being  as  ready  to  complain  of  them,  as  he  was  to  punish 
them. 

One  day,  she  became  displeased  with  Sarah,  her  cook, 
and  wanted  her  husband  to  whip  her.  She  said  to  Sa 
rah,  "  I  swear  I  will  make  your  master  whip  you,  as  soon 
as  he  comes  to  the  house";  to  which  Sarah  replied, 
"  Those  who  will  swear,  will  lie  !"  This  reply  she  report 
ed  to  the  doctor  upon  his  return  ;  upon  which  he  tied  Sa 
rah  up  and  whipped  her,  until  the  flesh  so  cleaved  from 
the  bone,  that  it  might  easily  have  been  scraped  off  with 
the  hand ;  while  the  blood  stood  in  puddles  under  her 
feet. 

After  taking  her  down,  he  anointed  her  lacerated  back 
with  a  mixture  of  grease  and  tar,  which  was  a  new  ap 
plication  ;  the  usual  one  being  strong  brine.  For  a  long 
time  after  this,  the  poor  creature  could  neither  walk  nor 
stand,  and  it  was  dreadful  to  see  her  crawling  about  in 
such  painful  agony.  To  Mrs.  Jackson,  however,  it  was  a 
delightful  sight,  for  she  seemed  to  gloat  over  the  sight  of 
such  bloody,  mangled  victims.  Her  cook  had  often  be 
fore  been  flogged,  but  never  so  much  to  her  satisfaction. 

I   was    one  day  sent  upon  an  errand  to  the  doctor's 


40  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

house,  and  being  acquainted,  I  did  not  ask  permission  to 
enter,  but  went  in  unannounced  at  the  dining-room  door. 
There  I  saw  a  little  slave  girl,  about  eight  years  of  age, 
running  about  the  room  ;  while  Mrs.  Jackson  was  follow 
ing  and  lashing  her,  and  the  blood  running  upon  the 
floor  !  The  child's  offense  was  breaking  a  dish  ! ! 

On  another  side  of  our  plantation  lived  another  tyrant, 
by  name  Clinton  Hanley ;  who  also  had  a  large  farm 
well  stocked  with  slaves.  In  his  cruelty,  this  man  had 
invented  a  somewhat  different  way  of  punishing  his 
slaves,  from  that  practised  by  most  masters.  He  whip 
ped  severely,  drove  hard,  and  fed  poorly.  In  cold  weath 
er  he  sent  his  slaves,  both  men  and  women,  through  the 
snow,  without  shoes,  to  cut  wood. 

He  had  one  slave,  named  Mary,  who  was  thus  sent  out 
to  cut  wood,  until  her  feet  were  so  frozen  and  cracked,  that 
she  could  be  tracked  by  her  blood.  To  punish  her,  he 
one  day  ordered  two  men  to  lift  up  the  fence  and  put  her 
head  under,  while  he  sat  upon  it  to  increase  the  weight. 
While  thus  occupied,  he  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  vio 
lent  pain  at  his  heart,  of  which  he  died  within  three 
days. 

I  was  hired  out  one  year  to  a  Mr.  Compton,  who  was 
a  kind  master ;  feeding  and  clothing  well,  and  seldom 
beating  his  slaves,  of  which  he  owned  about  one  hundred 
able  bodied  and  intelligent  men  and  women.  His  wife 
was  equally  as  kind  as  a  Mistress. 

Mr.  Compton  was  a  sportsman,  and  very  fond  of  gam 
ing,  horse  racing  and  drinking.  His  slaves  were  all  re 
ligious,  and  much  attached  to  their  master  and  mistress. 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  41 

They  were  allowed  to  hold  their  prayer  meetings  unmo 
lested,  in  their  own  quarters,  and  I  felt  thankful  that  I 
had  once  more  got  among  Christians. 

Mr.  Compton  finally  got  so  in  debt,  by  his  extrava 
gance,  that  he  was  obliged  to  sell  his  slaves  to  pay  his 
creditors.  The  slaves,  little  suspecting  for  what  purpose, 
were  sent  down  to  town  to  pack  tobacco.  While  busily 
engaged  at  this  work,  the  warehouse  door  was  suddenly 
closed,  to  prevent  their  escaping;  when  about  sixty  of 
them  were  fettered  and  put  on  board  a  schooner,  then 
lying  at  anchor  in  the  river,  for  the  express  purpose  of 
conveying  them  far  to  the  South.  Only  three  were  for 
tunate  enough  to  make  their  escape.  The  women  and 
children  were  brought  down  from  the  farm  in  wagons, 
and  put  on  board  the  vessel. 

But  0 !  reader,  could  you  have  seen  those  men, 
loaded  down  with  irons,  as  they  passed  weeping  from  the 
warehouse,  ^ou  must  have  exclaimed,  "  Great  God,  how 
long  wilt  thou  suffer  this  sin  to  remain  upon  the  earth  ?" 

The  three  men  who  made  their  escape,  were  sold  to 
new  masters. 

Mrs.  Compton,  being  from  home  at  the  time,  knew 
nothing  of  this  transaction  until  her  return.  When  she 
first  heard  of  it,  she  fainted;  but  upon  recovering  ex 
claimed,  in  the  anguish  of  her  heart,  "  0,  my  people  ; 
husband,  my  heart  will  break  !" 

But  her  tears  were  of  no  avail ;  it  was  too  late  ;  the 
vessel,  freighted  with  its  human  cargo,  had  already  weigh 
ed  anchor,  and  was  under  sail.  Wafted  by  the  northern 
breeze  she  gallantly  sailed  down  the  stream  at  the  rate  of 


42  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON. 

nine  knots  per  hour  ;  while  the  multitude  stood  upon  the 
banks  and  watched  her  disappearance,  tears  of  pity  flow 
ing  down  their  cheeks. 

She  soon  vanished  from  their  sight.  But  God,  who 
has  his  ways  in  the  wind,  and  manages  the  sea,  had  his 
purpose  fixed  ;  so  thought  one  of  the  slaves,  who,  in  his 
faith,  raised  his  cry  of  petition  to  the  living  God ;  so 
while  some  were  dancing  to  please  the  captain  and  crew, 
others  were  crying. 

The  vessel  ran  well  for  about  four  days,  when  sudden 
ly  the  sky  became  overcast  with  dense  black  clouds,  from 
whence  flashed  the  forked  lightnings,  and  pealed  the  fear 
ful  thunders.  The  raging  billows  lashed  into  fury,  rolled 
mountain  high,  until  there  seemed  no  possible  escape  from 
the  frowns  of  a  sin-avenging  God.  The  captain  summoned 
all  hands  on  board,  and  the  vessel  was  finally  driven  up 
on  a  sand  beach,  near  one  of  the  West  India  Islands, 
where  all  on  board,  except  one  of  the  sailors,  was  saved. 
And  thus  did  these  slaves  obtain  their  freedom.  The 
trader  himself  was  not  on  board,  having  gone  by  land,  to 
the  place  where  he  expected  to  meet  the  slaves,  after 
giving  them  in  charge  to  another  person. 

From  this  time  to  the  day  of  her  death,  Mrs.  Comp- 
ton  always  wore  the  marks  of  a  sorrowful  woman,  while 
her  husband  became  a  miserable  wretch.  In  consequence 
of  his  inability  to  pay  my  year's  wages,  I  only  remained 
with  him  until  Christmas  ;  after  which  I  was  hired  out 
to  Richard  Thomas,  my  mistress's  brother  ;  who  was  the 
most  humane  of  the  family,  and  who,  notwithstanding  he 
liked  to  whip  them  himself,  did  not  choose  that  any  one 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  43 

else  should  chastise  his  slaves.  I  lived  with  him  two 
years. 

He  had  a  hired  plantation  about  thirty-five  miles  from 
his  father's,  where  were  my  father,  mother  and  five  broth 
ers  ;  all  having  been  hired  out  to  him.  Here  I  had  an 
opportunity  of  improving  in  my  education,  for  many  of 
the  planters  in  this  region  were  not  only  rich,  but  hu 
mane,  and  many  of  their  slaves  could  read  and  write. 
Miserable  loafing  white  people  were  scarce  in  that  vicin 
ity,  their  services  not  being  needed.  Neither  was  slave 
hunting  much  practised,  therefore  there  was  no  patroling, 
and  the  land  being  less  cursed  by  cruelty,  was  rich  and 
fertile  ;  producing  in  abundance  corn,  wheat,  and  tobac 
co,  together  with  cotton  enough  for  home  consumption. 

Religion  also  flourished  in  that  region,  where  there 
were  no  Catholic  churches,  but  only  Methodists  and  Epis 
copalians.  Finally  the  masters  concluded  to  build  a 
church  for  their  slaves.  So  they  united  in  the  work  and 
soon  had  a  large  church,  under  the  superintendance  of  a 
white  preacher  ;  although  a  colored  man  could  preach  in 
it,  if  qualified  and  licensed  by  the  whites.  The  congre 
gation  was  large.  Many  white  people  went  there  to  hear 
the  colored  ones  sing  and  praise  God,  and  were  often 
much  affected  by  their  simple  but  earnest  devotion. 

Mr.  Thomas,  being  a  lawyer  of  great  reputation  and 
extensive  practise,  was  necessarily  often  called  from 
home  on_ business,  disconnected  with  his  farm;  conse 
quently  he  employed  an  overseer  to  attend  to  this  and 
the  slaves.  This  overseer  was  a  very  proud  and  haughty 
fellow,  made  so  by  this  sudden  promotion  ;  he  never  be- 


44  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

fore  having  held  such  an  office,  which  made  him  fancy 
himself,  if  not  a  god,  at  least  an  emperor ! 

Our  living,  which  before  had  been  decent,  he  soon  en 
tirely  changed  ;  frequently  allowing  us  but  one  meal  of 
victuals  a  day,  consisting  of  corn  bread,  sometimes  baked 
in  the  ashes,  with  two  salted  herring.  This  was  to  be 
eaten  before  going  to  the  field  in  the  morning,  and  we 
were  called  at  break  of  day,  after  which  we  had  no  more 
until  our  return  at  night.  Now  you  must  know,  reader, 
that  chopping  wood  all  day,  upon  an  empty  stomach,  is 
not  what  it  is  cracked  up  to  be ! 

One  cold  winter's  day  in  February  he  sent  us  to  the 
woods  to  chop.  I  worked  until  I  became  so  hungry  and 
faint,  that  I  thought  I  could  stand  it  no  longer,  when  I 
resolved  to  go  to  the  house  for  something  to  eat ;  or  fail 
ing,  to  die  in  the  attempt.  Some  of  the  hands  promising 
to  follow  me,  I  started,  supposing  them  close  at  hand  ; 
but  I  soon  found  myself  alone,  they  having  backed  out, 
their  courage  failing.  They  thought,  as  I  had  troubled 
the  waters,  I  might  drink  them  alone  ;  but  they  declined 
to  partake  of  such  bitter  streams. 

Before  I  reached  the  house,  the  overseer  saw  me  and 
inquired  where  I  was  bound,  to  which  I  replied,  "  to  the 
house,  for  something  to  eat."  He  ordered  me  back,  but 
I,  being  homeward  bound,  and  under  full  sail,  thought 
best  not  to  ?bout  ship,  so  he  ran  after  me,  caught  me  by 
the  back  of  the  neck,  struck  me  with  the  butt  end  of  the 
whip  upon  my  head,  but  did  not  fell  me  to  the  ground. 
I  seized  hold  of  the  whip,  wrung  it  from  his  hand,  threw 
him  upon  the  ground,  clenched  him  somewhere  about  the 


A   FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  45 

throat,  and  for  a  few  moments  stopped  his  mortal  respir 
ation. 

When  I  released  him,  he  lost  no  time  in  running  for 
the  house,  to  tell  his  story  to  master  Richard ;  after 
•which  he  hastened  back  to  the  woods.  I  went  to  our 
quarters,  ate  my  corn  cake  and  herrings,  and  returned  to 
the  chopping.  Nothing  was  said  ;  the  silence  of  the 
grave  seemed  to  reign  around,  broken  only  by  the  sound 
of  the  axes.  The  men  seemed  to  cut  more  wood  that  af 
ternoon,  than  at  other  times  they  had  for  a  whole  day. 

Next  morning  upon  going,  as  usual,  to  the  stable  to  at 
tend  to  the  horses,  the  overseer  followed  me,  entered  the 
stable  and  shut  the  door.  He  took  from  his  pocket  a 
rope,  and  ordered  me  to  cross  my  hands,  which  I  refused 
to  do  ;  upon  which  he  seized  a  tobacco  stick  about  four 
feet  long  and  two  inches  thick,  with  which  he  struck  and 
brought  me  to  the  ground.  He  then  sprang  upon  me, 
for  the  purpose  Of  tying  my  hands,  but  did  not  succeed, 
for  I  rose  to  my  feet  with  him  upon  my  back,  shook  off 
my  uncomfortable  load,  and  in  turn  mounted  his  back, 
wrung  the  stick  from  his  hand,  and  with  it  commenced 
beating  him. 

As  soon  as  he  could  escape  from  my  hands,  he  opened 
the  stable  door  and  ran  for  the  house ;  from  whence  I 
soon  saw  him  returning  in  great  haste,  accompanied  by 
master  Richard  ;  who,  coming  up  to  me,  bade  me  surren 
der.  I  did  so,  and  he  tied  my  hands  across  each  other, 
then  tied  me  to  one  of  the  beams  in  the  barn,  arid  told 
the  overseer  to  whip  me.  Accordingly  he  divested  him 
self  of  his  coat,  rolled  up  his  sleeves,  and  commenced 


46  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

flogging  with  all  his  might.  But  after  giving  me  about 
ten  cuts,  to  his  extreme  disappointment,  he  was  told  to 
desist,  as  that  was  sufficient. 

I  thought  much  of  being  thus  punished  for  nothing, 
and  resolved  that,  should  the  overseer  again  attempt  to 
whip  me,  I  would  kill  him  and  abide  the  consequences. 
I  therefore  told  master  Richard,  that  I  had  rather  die 
than  again  be  whipped  ;  that  the  punishment  of  death 
was  not  so  dreadful,  and  I  should  know  next  time  what 
to  do.  "What  will  you  do,  sir?77  said  he.  I  replied, 
"  You  alone  have  the  right  to  correct  me,  sir.  Had  you 
been  made  acquainted  with  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  you 
would  not  have  had  me  whipped  so ;  and  if  the  overseer 
strikes  me  again,  I  will  kill  him  and  be  hung  at  once, 
that  there  may  be  an  end  of  me."  He  bade  me  hold  my 
tongue,  and  go  to '  work  ;  after  which,  turning  to  the 
overseer,  he  said,  "  Whenever  that  fellow  disobeys, 
I  wish  you  to  inform  me,  that  I  may  learn  what  is  the 
fault ;  I  do  not  wish  you  to  flog  him ;  I  know  he  is  a 
good  hand,  and  needs  no  flogging  to  make" him  work." 

After  this,  we  had  three  meals  a  day,  larger  in  propor 
tion,  and  everything  went  on  wrell,  until  the  following 
July,  when  a  difficulty  aros£  between  master  and  over 
seer. 


CHAP.   VIII. 

MY  young  master,  being  very  fond  of  work  himself, 
did  not  like  to  see  lazy  men  around  him.  Whenever  he 
eanie  to  the  field,  he  always  busied  himself  about  some- 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  47 

thing,  while  the  overseer  stood  with  his  whip  under  his 
arm,  and  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  or  sat  under  a  shady 
tree  and  read  the  newspapers.  I  well  knew  this  would 
not  last  very  long,  and  had  the  overseer  known  his  em 
ployer  as  well  as  I  did,  he  would  not  thus  have  hazarded 
his  best  interest  by  an  indulgence  in  such  laziness,  as 
finally  dethroned  him. 

Master  Richard,  coming  into  the  field  one  day,  found 
the  overseer,  as  usual,  sitting  at  his  ease  under  a  pleasant 
tree,  which  at  once  irritated  him.  Addressing  the  over 
seer,  as  he  was  thus  enjoying  his  comfort,  he  asked,  "  Why 
have  not  the  ploughs  been  used  in  this  field,  where  they 
are  so  much  needed,  instead  of  yonder,  where  they  are 
less  needed  ?" 

The  overseer  made  some  paltry  reply,  not  so  well  suit 
ed  to  master's  dignity,  as  to  the  purpose  which  he  had 
in  contemplation,  which  was  to  discharge  him  immediate 
ly  ;  a  thing  which,  according  to  contract,  he  could  not  do. 
Directly,  upon  hearing  the  answer,  he  seized  a  stick  which 
lay  near,  and  with  it  aimed  a  violent  blow^  at  the  over 
seer's  head,  which,  however,  he  fortunately  dodged,  when 
he  ran  from  the  field,  left  the  plantation,  and  was  seen 
there  no  more. 

My  father  was  then  put  overseer,  an  office  which  he 
did  not  long  fill,  as  in  October  following  he  sickened  and 
died.  His  death  was  much  lamented  by  all  his  fellow 
slaves,  as  well  as  by  his  master,  Richard,  who  gave  him 
every  possible  attention  during  his  sickness,  employing 
the  best  physicians  to  attend  upon  him.  He  called  to 
see  him  three  or  four  times  each  day,  and  sometimes  sat 


48  LIFE   OP  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

by  his  bedside  hours  at  a  time,  apparently  striving  to 
prevent  the  extinction  of  the  vital  spark  ;  but  all  to  no 
purpose,  for  the  great  Master  had  called  for  him,  and  he 
must  obey  the  summons. 

My  father  lived  an  exemplary  life,  and  died  a  tri 
umphant  death,  leaving  to  posterity  a  bright  evidence  of 
his  acceptance  with  God.  And,  thank  heaven,  his  prayers 
over  me,  a  careless,  hardened  sinner,  were  not  as  seed 
sown  upon  a  rock,  but  as  bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  to 
be  seen  and  gathered  after  many  days. 

Immediately  after  the  decease  of  this  faithful  slave, 
master  Richard  directed  my  brother  to  take  his  horse 
and  go  up  to  old  master's  plantation,  and  inform  his  sis 
ter  Elizabeth,  our  mistress,  that  his  father,  John,  her 
slave,  was  dead.  As  soon  as  she  received  the  tidings, 
she  came  in  her  carriage  to  her  brother's,  but  only  to 
look  on  the  lifeless  clay  of  my  father.  "  Oh  ! "  she  ex 
claimed,  as  she  gazed  upon  the  lifeless  form,  "I  had  rath 
er  lose  all  my  other  slaves,  than  to  lose  John." 

My  brother  was  now  put  overseer,  and  made  an  excel 
lent  one.  The  crops,  in  their  abundance,  were  gathered 
and  safely  secured. 

We  now  removed  about  forty  miles  to  another  planta 
tion,  in  Prince  George  county,  a  neighborhood  as  different 
from  that  we  had  just  left,  as  Alabama  is  from  Kentucky. 
Here  our  master  married  a  Miss  Barber,  very  rich  and 
equally  cruel.  I  think  she  was  about  as  bad  a  woman 
as  ever  lived.  She  soon  spoiled  her  husband's  disposi 
tion,  inducing  in  him  the  practice  of  the  surrounding 
planters,  to  whip  occasionally,  whether  there  was  a  cause 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  49 

or  not.  They  considered  whipping  as  essential  to  the 
good  of  the  soul  as  the  body  ;  and  therefore  sometimes 
indispensably  necessary. 

My  old  grey-headed  mother,  now  cook,  was  the  first 
victim  to  the  uncontrollable,  hellish  passions  of  her  new 
mistress.  My  mother  had  always  borne  the  reputation, 
in  old  mistress's  time,  of  a  very  good  cook ;  but  she 
could  not  suit  this  tyrannical  mistress,  do  the  best  she 
could.  Indeed,  nothing  was  so  pleasant  to  her  as  the 
smell  of  negro  blood !  Entering  the  kitchen,  she  would 
beat  my  mother  with  shovel,  tongs,  or  whatever  other 
weapon  lay  within  her  reach,  until  exhausted  herself ; 
then,  upon  her  husband's  return,  she  would  complain  to 
him,  and  cause  him  to  strip  and  whip  the  victim  until 
she  was  unable  longer  to  stand.  My  feelings,  upon  hear 
ing  her  shrieks  and  pleadings,  may  better  be  imagined 
than  described.  Sometimes  she  would,  in  this  way,  have 
all  her  servants  whipped. 

While  upon  the  other  plantation,  I  spared  no  exertions 
to  learn  to  read  and  write,  both  of  which  I  could  now  do 
tolerably  well ;  and  although  I  spent  all  my  Sundays  in 
study,  still,  master  did  not  know  that  I  could  do  either. 
One  day  he  sent  me  with  a  note  to  a  gentleman,  requir 
ing  an  answer  by  the  bearer.  The  answer  I  put  into  my 
pocket  with  some  writing  of  my  own,  one  of  which  was 
the  copy  of  a  pass  I  had  received  from  my  master  long 
before,  to  go  to  visit  a  friend.  This  copy  I  accidentally 
handed  him,  instead  of  the  answering  note,  not  perceiv 
ing  my  mistake  until  he  exclaimed,  "  What  is  this  ?"  Im 
mediately  I  discovered  my  mistake,  and  handed  him  the 

5 


50  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

right  paper.  He  kept  both.  At  the  time  he  said  no 
more  to  me,  but  soon  communicated  the  fact  to  his 
sister,  pressing  her  to  sell  me,  which  she  at  length 
consented  to  do,  empowering  him  to  transact  the  busi 
ness  in  reference  to  the  sale.  The  next  morning, 
while  I  was  preparing  feed  for  the  horses  in  the 
stables,  he,  with  four  other  white  men,  armed  with 
bludgeons  and  pistols,  came  upon  me.  I  looked  about 
me  for  some  means  of  resistance,  but  seeing  none,  con 
cluded  there  was  no  way  for  me  but  to  surrender. 

My  hands  were  at  once  tied,  after  which  I  was  taken 
to  another  part  of  the  barn,  where  they  commenced 
whipping  me  ;  but  the  switches  proving  brittle,  two  of 
them  were  broken  at  once.  This  so  enraged  my  master 
that  he  cursed  the  switches,  and  swore  he  had  something 
that  would  not  break.  This  was  a  cowhide,  which  he 
went  and  brought  from  the  house,  I,  meanwhile,  hanging 
suspended  between  the  heavens  and  the  earth,  for  no 
crime  save  what  he  himself  was  guilty  of,  namely,  edu 
cation.  He  finally  concluded,  however,  not  to  whip  me, 
lest  it  might  injure  my  sale,  and  therefore  ordered  one  of 
the  other  slaves  to  take  me  down,  and  prepare  me  to  go 
to  Alexandria. 

All  being  ready,  he  called  for  me  to  be  brought  out. 
As  I  passed  the  house  door  in  crossing  the  yard,  bound 
in  chains,  his  wife  came  out  and  ordered  me  to  stop  a 
moment,  while  she  delivered  to  me  her  farewell  message. 

"  Well,  John,"  she  began,  "  you  are  going  to  be  sold  ln 
"  Yes,  madam,  I  suppose  so,"  was  my  reply. 

"  I  am  sorry,"  she  continued,  "  that  you  are  so  diso- 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  51 

bedient  to  your  master  Richard,  and  if  you  will  promise 
me  to  do  better,  I  will  plead  with  him  not  to  sell  you." 

I  answered,  "  Madam,  I  have  done  the  best  I  am  able 
for  him,  and  cannot,  to  save  my  life,  do  better  ;  willingly 
would  I  do  so,  if  I  could.  I  do  not  know  why  he  wishes 
to  sell  me." 

While  I  was  speaking,  he  came  out,  being  ready  to 
start  for  the  slave  market.  He  said  to  his  wife,  "1  don't 
wish  you  to  speak  to  him,  for  I  am  going  to  sell  him  ; 
sister  Elizabeth  gave  me  leave  to  do  so,  and  I  shall  do  it." 
"  He  has  promised  me  to  do  better,  and  I  do  not  wish 
him  sold,"  said  his  wife. 

"  I  don't  want  to  hear  any  of  his  promises,  he  has 
made  them  before,"  was  his  reply. 

While  this  conversation  was  going  on,  a  coachman 
from  the  lower  plantation  rode  up,  and  handed  master 
Richard  a  note,  saying  that  Miss  Elizabeth  had  changed 
her  mind,  and  did  not  wish  me  sold,  and  that  if  he  did 
not  want  me  any  longer,  to  send  me  home  to  her.  Thus 
was  the  aifair  knocked  into  a  cocked  hat. 

He  took  the  rope  from  my  hands,  and  bade  me  go  to 
work,  a  command  which  I  joyfully  obeyed ;  but  feeling 
no  gratitude  to  him,  since,  had  it  been  in  his  power,  he 
would  have  sold  me.  I  finished  my  year  with  him,  after 
which,  on  Christmas,  I  returned  to  my  mistress. 


52  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

CHAP.  IX. 

THE  following  year,  I  was  hired  to  Mr.  Wm.  Barber, 
a  Catholic  himself,  as  were  also  his  slaves,  all  except  my 
self.  He  adhered  strictly  to  his  religious  profession, 
praying  three  or  four  times  each  day,  and  every  Sunday 
morning  calling  up  his  slaves  to  attend  prayer,  to  which 
call  I  refused  to  respond.  This  refusal  in  me,  caused  in 
him  a  strong  dislike  to  me,  insomuch  that  he  seemed  to 
dislike  me,  and  hate  to  see  me  worse  than  the  devil, 
against  whom  he  prayed  so  devoutly. 

I  was  very  fond  of  singing  Methodist  hymns  while  at 
work,  especially  if  I  was  alone,  the  sound  of  which  threw 
him  into  spasms  of  anger.  He  accordingly  treated  me 
worse  than  any  other  slave  upon  the  plantation,  all  of 
whom  were  treated  bad  enough.  Our  allowance  was  a 
quart  of  meal  and  two  herrings  per  day.  Our  dinner 
was  sent  to  us  in  the  fields,  both  in  hot  and  cold  weath 
er.  None  of  our  friends  were  over  permitted  to  come  to 
the  farm  to  see  us. 

On  Easter,  it  being  holiday  among  the  slaves,  a  negro 
belonging  to  Mr.  Charles  Gardner,  not  knowing  our  mas 
ter's  rules,  called  to  see  his  mother  and  sister,  whom  Mr. 
Barber  had  hired,  and  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  a  long 
time.  Our  master  happening  to  get  a  glimpse  of  this 
negro,  pitched  upon  him  and  endeavored  to  collar  him. 
The  black,  being  a  strong  active. fellow,  and  understand 
ing  what  we  call  the  "  Virginia  hoist/7  seized  and  threw 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  53 

his  assailant  over  his  head  to  the  distance  of  five  feet, 
where  he  struck  the  ground  so  that  his  nose  ploughed 
the  earth  some  distance  !  Before  the  discomfited  master 
could  rise  from  the  ground,  the  slave  had  effected  his  es 
cape. 

But  poor  David's  '  back  must  smart  for  his  dex 
terity.  Master  imagined  that  I  invited  David  to  our 
plantation  for  the  purpose  of  retaliating  some  of  my 
grievances,  so  I  must  share  his  fate.  A  difficulty 
now  arose,  for  as  master  professed  to  be  a  Christian, 
he  could  not  consistently  whip  without  a  cause,  which 
he  could  not  readily  find,  since  he  could  not  prove  that  I 
was  in  any  way  implicated  in  David's  crime. 

Still,  he  could  not  rest  satisfied  until  I  was  flogged, 
and  therefore  tried  every  way  to  find  fault  with  me,  which 
I  knowing,  did  my  best  to  prevent.  But  all  effort  to 
please,  on  my  part,  was  useless.  He  sent  me,  one  very 
cold  day,  a  mile  from  the  house  to  cut  rails.  The  snow 
was  about  six  inches  deep.  I  had  shoes  and  stockings, 
but  still,  as  I  had  no  chance  to  warm  my  feet  from  break 
of  day  until  night,  my  dinner  being  sent  me,  which  I  was 
obliged  to  eat  frozen,  my  feet  were  nearly  frozen,  and  I  was 
completely  chilled.  Mr.  Barber  watched  me  the  whole  day, 
except  while  away  at  dinner,  which  he  hastened  through  as 
fast  as  possible,  that  he  might  not  long  lose  sight  of  me. 

When  it  grew  dark  he  started  for  the  house,  bidding 
me  follow,  as  it  was  time  to  feed  the  cattle.  As  I  was 
so  cold,  I  thought  I  would  kindle  a  fire  and  warm  me  be 
fore  going.  I  did  so,  and  then  started  for  the  house. 

When  passing  through  the  yard,  on  my  way  to  the  cow- 

05 


54  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

N 

pen,  I  met  Mr.  B.  returning,  he  having  been  there  wait 
ing  for  me.  He,  being  a  holy  man  !  did  not  swear  di 
rectly,  but  said,  "Confound  }6u,  where  have  you  been?" 
accompanying  the  question  by  a  blow  from  a  four  foot 
stick  across  my  head. 

I  tried  to  explain  the  reason  of  my  delay,  but  he  would 
not  listen,  and  continued  beating  me.  At  last  I  caught 
hold  of  the  stick,  wrenched  it  from  his  hands,  struck 
him  over  the  head,  and  knocked  him  down,  after  which  I 
choked  him  until  he  was  as  black  as  I  am.  When  I  let 
him  up,  he  ran  for  his  gun  ;  but  when  he  returned  I  had 
fled  to  parts  unknown  to  him.  I  kept  away  about  two 
weeks,  staying  in  the  woods  during  the  day,  and  coming 
to  the  quarters  at  night  for  something  to  eat. 

Mr.  Barber,  however,  needing  my  services,  as  it  was  a 
very  busy  time,  told  the  slaves,  if  they  saw  me,  to  tell 
me  to  come  home,  and  that  he  would  not  whip  me.  This 
•was  to  me  a  very  welcome  message,  for  I  was  tired  of  my 
life  in  the  woods,  and  I  immediately  returned  home.  I 
ivent  to  work,  as  usual,  thinking  all  was  right ;  but  soon 
found  myself  very  much  mistaken. 

I  worked  about  three  weeks,  during  which  I  accom 
plished  six  weeks  labor.  One  day,  while  busily  engag 
ed,  hoeing  up  new  ground,  I  saw  two  men  coming  to 
wards  me,  whom  I  soon  recognized  as  constables,  both  of 
'whom  I  well  knew.  Upon  approaching  near  me,  the 
constable  for  our  district  said,  "  John,  you  must  come 
with  me." 

I  dropped  my  hoe  and  followed  him.  When  I  reached 
the  house,  I  found  poor  David  standing  bound  like  a 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE,  55 

sheep  dumb  before  its  shearers.  We  were  put  up  stairs 
to  await  Mr.  B.'s  orders,  who  was  not  then  ready.  The 
rope  was  tied  so  tight  around  David's  wrists  as  to  stop 
the  circulation  of  the  blood,  and  give  him  excruciating 
pain.  He  begged  to  have  the  rope  loosened,  but  the  of 
ficer  having  him  in  charge,  would  not  gratify  him.  The 
other  constable,  however,  soon  come  and  relieved  him. 

Mr.  Barber  being  ready,  we  set  off  for  the  magistrate's 
office,  which  was  about  three  miles  from  our  house.  Da 
vid  and  I  were  tied  together,  his  left  being  tied  to  my 
right  hand.  On  the  way  the  constable  said  to  me,  "  John, 
I  always  thought  you  was  a  good  negro ;  what  have  you 
been  doing  ?  You  ought  to  behave  so  well  as  not  to  need 
whipping.77 

I 'replied,  "I  have  done  nothing  wrong,  and  if  lam 
whipped,  it  shall  be  the  last  time  on  that  farm  ?" 

"  What  will  you  do  ?"  asked  Mr.  Barber.  "  Run  away," 
I  answered.  "  When  we  are  done  with  you,  you  will  not 
be  able  to  run  far,"  said  he.  "  Well  sir,  if  you  whip  me 
so  that  I  am  unable  to  walk,  I  can  do  you  no  good ;  but 
if  I  can  walk,  I  will  take  the  balance  of  the  year  to  my 
self,  and  go  home  to  my  mistress,  at  Christmas." 

He  did  not  relish  this  kind  of  talk,  for  he  did  not  wish 
to  pay  my  wages  and  not  have  my  service,  so  he  told  me 
to  shut  my  head  or  he  would  break  it.  Of  course  I  said 
no  more. 

We  soon  arrived  at  the  dreaded  place,  and  were  left 
seated  in  the  piazza  awaiting  our  trial,  a  constable  being 
present  to  watch  us.  I  asked  him  for  a  drink  of  water, 
when  he  said,  "Would  you  not  like  a  glass  of  brandy?" 


56  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

a  drink  very  acceptable  on  such  occasions.  I  re 
plied  in  the  affimative,  when  he  brought  out  a  half- 
pint  tumbler  nearly  full,  of  which  I  drank  the  whole. 
This  roused  my  courage,  and  I  felt  brave.  My  expected 
punishment  was  not  half  as  much  dreaded  as  before. 

The  court  being  ready,  we  were  brought  before  his 
honor,  Justice  Barber,  uncle  to  my  master.  David  was 
first  tried,  declared  guilty,  and  sentenced  to  have  39  lash 
es  well  laid  upon  his  bare  back. 

My  case  was  next  in  order,  but  Mr.  Barber,  instead  of 
preferring  any  charge  against  me,  told  the  Judge  he 
would  forgive  me  this  time,  as  he  thought  I  would  do 
better  in  future.  Upon  this  the  old  man,  raising  his 
spectacles  and  looking  at  me,  said,  "  Do  you  think  you 
can  behave,  so  as  not  to  have  to  be  brought  before^  me 
again  ?"  "  Yes  sir,"  I  answered  quickly.  "  Well  sir/' 
he  said,  "  go  home  to  your  work,  and  if  you  are  brought 
before  me  again,  I  will  order  the  skin  all  taken  from  your 
back  I" 

The  rope  was  taken  off  my  hands,  and  I  was  told  to 
go  in  peace  and  sin  no  more.  I  waited  to  see  the  fate  of 
poor  David.  He  was  taken  to  the  whipping  post,  strung 
up  until  his  toes  scarce  touched  the  ground,  his  back 
stripped  and  whipped  until  the  blood  flowed  in  streams 
to  the  ground.  When  he  was  taken  down  he  staggered 
like  a  drunken  man.  We  returned  together,  talking  over 
the  matter  on  the  way.  He  said,  "  0,  I  wish  I  could 
die  !  I  am  whipped  for  no  fault  of  my  own.  I  wish  I 
had  killed  him,  and  been  hung  at  once  ;  I  should  have 
been  better  off."  I  felt  sorry  for  him. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  57 

I  determined  then,  if  he  struck  me  again,  I  would  kill 
him.  I  expected  another  attack,  and  accordingly  plan 
ned  where  I  would  conceal  his  body,  where  it  would  not 
readily  be  found,  in  case  no  one  saw  me  perform  the  act. 
But  God  overruled.  He  had  his  destiny  fixed,  and  no 
mortal  could  resist  it, — no  mortal  arm  could  stay  his 
mighty  purpose.  But  I  must  hasten  to  the  close  of  the 
year. 

Mr.  Barber  had  a  most  luxuriant  crop  of  tobacco  near 
ly  ripe  and  ready  for  the  harvest.  Tobacco  is  so  delicate 
a  plant,  that  it  will  not  stand  the  frost,  and  if  exposed  to 
it  is  thereby  rendered  nearly  useless.  Our  crops  had  all 
been  gathered  except  two  fields,  when  by  a  sudden  change 
in  the  wind  to  the  north,  it  became  so  cold  as  to  threaten 
a  frost,  which  would  probably  destroy  the  tobacco  re 
maining  in  the  field.  Mr.  Barber  feared  this,  and  not 
withstanding  it  was  the  Sabbath,  ordered  his  slaves  to  go 
and  secure  the  remainder  of  the  crop. 

Soon  all  hands  were  in  the  field  at  work.  No  other 
farmer  in  the  neighborhood  went  out,  all,  excepting  Mr. 
B.  being  willing  to  trust  their  crops  to  Him  who  had 
given  them  ;  although  many  had  larger  quantities  expos 
ed.  Being  angry  with  the  great  Omnipotent  for  this 
threatening  arrangement  of  his  providence,  Mr.  Barber 
fell  to  beating  his  slaves  on  the  Lord's  day.  But  his 
suspected  enemy  did  not  come  ;  his  fears  were  ground 
less.  The  night  cleared  off  warm,  and  no  frost  came. 


;God  moves  in  a  mysterious  way, 
;  His  wonders  to  perform ; 


•-; 
58  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON. 

41  He  plants  his  footsteps  in  the  sea, 

"  And  rides  upon  the  storm. 

"  Deep  and  unfathomable  mine 

"  Of  never  failing  skill ; 

"  He  treasures  up  his  bright  design, 

"And  works  his  sovereign  will. 

"Ye  fearful  saints,  fresh  courage  take  ; 

"  The  clouds  ye  so  much  dread 

"  Are  big  with  mercy,  and  shall  break 

"  With  blessings  on  your  head. 

•"  Judge  not  the  Lord  with  feeble  sense, 

"  But  trust  him  for  his  grace:; 

"  Behind  a  frowning  providence 

"He  hides  a  smiling  face. 

"  His  purposes  will  ripen  fast, 

<f  Unfolding  every  hour  ; 

"  The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste, 

"  But  sweet  will  be  the  flower. 

"  Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err, 

"  And  scan  his  works  in  vain ; 

''  God  is  his  own  interpreter, 

"  And  he  will  make  it  plain." 


We  worked  until  midnight  on  Sunday,  and  secured  all 
the  crops,  as  Mr.  B.  thought. 

The  manner  of  curing  tobacco  is,  to  hang  it  up  in  the 
barn,  and  put  a  hot  fire  under  it,  so  as  to  cure  it  gradu 
ally.  But  the  heat  must  be  in  proportion  to  the  damp 
ness  of  the  tobacco. 

All  things  being  regulated,  Mr.  B.  began  to  boast  of 
the  security  of  his  great  crops.  The  following  Satur 
day,  at  three  o'clock,  P.  M.,  he  told  his  slaves  that  they 
might  have  the  remainder  of  that  day  to  compensate  fur 
the  previous  Sabbath,  when  they  had  worked. 

The  same  day,  while  preparing  to  go  to  confession,  as 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  59 

usual,  one  of  the  slaves  ran  in  and  told  him  that  the  barn 
was  on  fire !  I  looked  from  the  kitchen  door,  saw  the 
smoke  bursting  from  the  roof,  and  ran  to  the  spot.  Mas 
ter  got  there  before  me,  and  within  three  minutes  all  the 
slaves  were  upon  the  spot ;  but  seeing  it  would  be  of  no 
avail,  they  did  not  attempt  to  enter  the  barn. 

Mr.  Barber,  moved  by  his  usual  ambition,  rushed  in, 
notwithstanding  the  slaves  tried  to  persuade  him  of  the 
danger,  and  plead  with  him  to  desist ;  but,  blinded  by  the 
god  of  this  world,  he  would  not  listen  to  their  entreaties, 
and  rushed  in  just  as  the  roof  was  ready  to  fall !  When 
they  beheld  the  awful  sight,  the  wails  of  the  slaves  might 
have  been  heard  fully  two  miles. 

He  was  caught  by  the  end  of  the  roof  only,  as  it  fell, 
from  which,  in  a  minute  or  two,  he  made  his  escape,  his 
clothes  all  on  fire.  He  was  taken  to  the  house,  but  died 
the  next  Sunday  week..  Before  he  died,  however,  lijce 
Nebuchadnezzar  of  old,  he  acknowledged  that  God  reigns 
among  the  kingdoms  of  men. 

This  sad  event  transpired  in  the  month  of  October,  af- 
*ter  which  nothing  more  worthy  of  note  occurred  while  I 
remained  in  the  family,  which  was  until  Christmas.     Af 
ter  this  I  returned  to  my  mistress,  who  gave  me  a  note 
permitting  me  to  get  myself  another  home. 


CHAP.  X. 

I  NOW  called  to  see  a  Mr.  James  Burkit,  who  had  form 
erly  been  very  rich,  but  who,  by  dissipation,  had  spent 


60  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

all  his  property,  and  become  quite  poor.  He  was  willing 
to  hire  me,  and  sent  word  to  my  mistress  to  that  effect. 
I  commenced  work  there  on  the  first  day  of  January. 

There  were  but  few  slaves  upon  this  plantation,  upon 
which  every  thing  seemed  in  an  unprosperous  condition ; 
fences  broken  down  and  fields  overrun  with  weeds.  I 
went  to  work,  and  soon  had  things  in  better  order,  which 
so  much  pleased  my  employer,  that  he  made  me  foreman 
on  the  plantation. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Burkit,  who  died  when  James  was 
very  young,  was  a  very  rich  man,  and  had  the  reputation 
among  the  slaves,  of  having  been  a  very  good  master, 
and  of  having  freed  a  portion  of  his  slaves  at  his  de 
cease,  one  family  of  whom  I  knew.  The  balance  of  his 
slaves  was  divided  among  his  heirs. 

One  of  these  freed  slaves,  by  name  George  Nichols, 
w^s  a  very  delicate  young  man,  unfit  for  field  labor,  and 
therefore  brought  up  waiter  in  the  old  man's  family. 
George  being  an  expert  hand  at  his  business,  was  hired 
out  to  a  man  in  Washington  city,  where  he  was  when  his 
old  old  master  died,  and  where  he  had  been  for  several* 
years  previous. 

As  soon  as  the  father  died,  his  heirs  tried  to  break  the 
will,  and  thus  again  enslave  those  who  had  thereby  been 
set  free.  Mr.  Burkit  was  especially  recommended  to 
sell  George  immediately,  as  he  had  been  so  long  out  of 
the  state,  that,  according  to  the  laws  of  Maryland,  he 
was  free  already,  independent  of  the  will.  To  accom 
plish  this,  Mr.  Burkit  hastened  directly  to  Washington, 
and  went  to  a  hotel  kept  by  Mr.  Brown,  where  George 


A  FUGITIVE  SLAVE.  61 

lived,  whom  he  desired  to  see.  George  was  at  work  in 
a  distant  part  of  the  house,  but  upon  receiving  the 
message  that  some  one  wished  to  see  him,  he  hastened 
to  the  bar-room,  where  he  was  both  surprised  and 
pleased  to  see  his  master  James.  "  How  do  you  do, 
Master  James  ?"  he  inquired,  smilingly,  and  reached 
out  his  hand  to  grasp  that  of  his  young  master. 

"  I  am  well,  how  do  you  do,  George  ?"  was  the  reply. 

"  Very  well,  I  thank  you,  sir,"  said  poor  George,  and 
began  to  inquire  for  his  parents,  whom  he  had  not  seen 
for  several  years.  They  were  very  well,  Mr.  B.  said, 
and  then  added,  "  George,  I  am  about  to  be  married,  and 
have  come  for  you  to  go  to  Halifax  to  serve  as  waiter  at 
my  wedding." 

At  this  George  was  much  pleased,  thinking  it  highly 
complimentary  that  his  young  master  had  come  so  far 
for  him,  to  serve  at  the  wedding. 

When  Mr.  Burkit  made  known  to  Mr.  Brown,  the  hotel 
keeper,  that  he  intended  to  sell  George  far  south,  that 
gentleman  was  much  surprised,  and  said,  "  Why,  Mr, 
Burkit,  you  don't  mean  to  take  George  from  me  at  this 
time ;  you  will  ruin  me.  Congress  is  in  session,  my 
house  is  full  of  boarders,  and  he  is  my  best  waiter ;  I 
cannot  well  get  along  without  him.  If  you  wish  to  sell 
him,  I  will  buy,  and  give  you  as  much  for  him  as  you 
can  get  elsewhere." 

But  Mr.  Burkit  would  not  sell  him  to  Mr.  Brown. 
George  heard  and  knew  nothing  of  this  conversation. 
When  he  was  ready,  he  came  to  the  bar-room  with  his 

small  bundle  of  clothes  under  his  arm,  and  soon  started 

6 


62  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

off  with  his  master  James.  Mr.  Brown  called  the  latter 
back  and  said,  "  Mr.  Burkit,  I  will  give  you  one  hundred 
dollars  more  than  any  other  man  for  George  ;  or  I  will 
give  you  eight  hundred  now.  No  other  man  will  give  as 
much,  for  one  unacquainted  with  him  would  not  give 
over  six  hundred.  To  look  at  him,  he  appears  like  a 
very  delicate  boy,  and  indeed,  he  is  fit  only  for  a  waiter ; 
consequently  worth  more  to  a  person  in  my  business, 
than  to  a  planter.  As  I  know  what  he  can  do,  I  will 
give  more  than  a  stranger  would."  To  all  these  offers 
Mr.  Burkit  turned  a  deaf  ear,  and  again  started  off. 

On  account  of  his  tender  feet,  George  had  to  wear  soft 
slippers,  suitable  only  to  be  worn  within  doors.  On  the 
way  to  the  vessel,  which  was  waiting  to  receive  them, 
George  said,  "  Master  James,  will  you  please  to  get  me 
another  pair  of  slippers?  These  I  have  on  will  be  unfit 
to  wear  at  your  wedding."  "  0  yes,  George,  you  shall 
have  a  pair,"  was  the  reply. 

After  they  got  on  board  the  vessel,  George  said,  "  mas 
ter  James,  you  have  forgotten  my  slippers."  "  G — d 
d — n  you,  if  you  ask  for  slippers,  I  will  break  your  d — n 
head  !"  was  his  only  answer.  Then  George  knew,  for  the 
first  time,  that  he  was  to  be  sold.  His  master  continued, 
"  you  have  been  a  gentleman  in  Washington  long  enough, 
now  if  you  ask  me  for  anything,  I  will  beat  out  your 
d — d  brains  with  a  handspike  !"  George  now  felt  that 
his  case  was  hopeless. 

The  vessel  soon  arrived  in  port,  when  George  was  put 
in  irons,  and  confined  in  a  slave  pen  among  a  drove  of 
slaves,  in  New  Market.  This  dreadful  news  was  soon 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  63 

sent  to  his  mother,  who  lived  at  a  considerable  distance, 
but  who  hastened  at  once  to  see  and  bathe  in  tears  her 
child. 

When  she  reached  the  pen,  she  was  conducted  up 
stairs  to  a  room,  in  the  middle  of  which  was  a  long  sta 
ple  driven  into  the  floor,  with  a  large  ring  attached  to  it, 
having  four  long  chains  fastened  to  that.  To  these  were 
attached  shorter  chains,  to  which  the  slaves  were  made 
fast  bj  rings  around  their  ankles.  Men,  women  and 
children  were  huddled  in,  this  room  together,  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  more  victims,  as  the  drove  was  not  full. 

In  this  miserable  condition  did  Mrs.  Nichols,  who  had 
served  out  her  time,  find  her  son  ;  who  was  as  much  en 
titled  to  his  freedom  as  she  was  to  hers.  And  in  this 
condition  she  left  him  forever  !  Would  that  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Adams  and  others,  who  paint  slavery  in  such  glowingly 
beautiful  colors,  could  have  seen  this,  and  have  heard  the 
agonizing  cries  of  that  mother  and  child,  at  parting ! 
Think  of  these  things,  ye  men  of  God ! 

The  trader  told  the  poor  mother,  that  if  she  could  find 
any  one  to  buy  her  son,  he  would  sell  him  for  just  what 
he  gave,  five  hundred  dollars,  as  he  was  not  what  he 
wanted,  and  he  only  bought  him  to  gratify  Mr.  Burkit. 
He  continued,  "  I  want  only  strong  able-bodied  slaves,  as 
the  best  can  only  live  five  or  six  years  at  longest,  and 
your  son,  being  so  delicate,  I  shall  get  little  for  him." 

George  then  said,  "  Mother,  don't  grieve  for  me,  it  is 
for  no  crime  that  I  have  done  ;  it  is  only  because  I  was 
to  be  free.  But  if  you  will  please  send  to  Washington,  as 
soon  as  possible,  and  ask  Mr.  Brown,  the  gentleman  that 


64  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

I  lived  with,  to  buy  me,  I  know  he  will  gladly  do  so. 
Tell  him  I  have  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  in  my 
trunk,  in  my  room  at  the  hotel,  which  he  can  use  towards 
paying  for  me." 

The  old  woman  hastened  from  New  Market,  which  lies 
on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  between  Cambridge 
and  Vienna,  to  her  own  home,  a  distance  of  fifteen  miles. 
Upon  reaching  home,  she  hastened  to  a  friend,  as  she 
thought,  (though  he  wore  a  friendly  face,  and  possessed 
an  enemy's  heart,)  to  whom  she  related  her  sad  story, 
requesting  him  to  write  for  her  to  Mr.  Brown  at  Wash 
ington,  which  he  promised  to  do.  She  supposed  he  had 
done  so,  and  waited  anxiously  for  an  answer ;  but  none 
ever  came,  and  the  poor  young  man  was  carried  away, 
where  he  has  never  since  been  seen  or  heard  from  by  his 
heart-broken  mother.  The  name  of  this  supposed  friend 
was  Annalds.  He  was  an  old  man,  and  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  church.  Of  course  the  colored  people  had 
great  confidence  in  him,  on  account  of  his  supposed  piety, 
as  he  made  loud  professions,  and  talked  high  of  heaven. 
But  it  was  all  hypocrisy,  God  in  the  face,  and  the  devil 
in  the  heart ;  for  he  cheated  the  poor  free  blacks  out  of 
their  rightful  wages  whenever  he  got  a  chance. 

The  plantation  adjoining  Mr.  Burkit's  was  owned  by 
a  very  rich  planter,  Robert  Dennis,  Esq.  He  was  a  very 
kind  master,  always  treated  his  slaves  well,  would  neith 
er  whip  them  himself,  nor  suffer  another  person  to  do  so, 
and  would  not  sell  them.  Consequently,  he  was  much 
beloved  by  his  slaves,  who  regarded  him  as  a  father. 

He  had  a  great  number  of  well  looking  slaves,  men, 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  65 

women  and  children,  over  whom  he  would  have  no  over 
seer,  but  trusted  all  to  them  in  cultivating  his  large 
tracts  of  land ;  nor  did  they  ever  betray  his  trust  or  give 
him  any  trouble.  But  at  length  happened  a  sad  event 
to  these  slaves,  at  the  death  of  their  much  beloved  mas 
ter.  Sorrow  now  filled  their  hearts,  and  spread  a  gloom 
over  the  whole  plantation  ;  for  now,  like  other  slaves,  they 
must  be  separated  and  sold  from  their  friends  and  fami 
lies,  some,  perhaps,  to  cruel  masters.  They  knew  the 
estate  was  somewhat  in  debt,  and  expected  to  have  to  be 
sold  to  cancel  it,  at  least  part  of  them. 

This  would  have  been  done  but  for  Miss  Betsey,  who 
could  not  endure  the  idea  of  seeing  her  grandfather's  de 
voted  slaves  sold  to  pay  debts  which  they  had  no  hand 
in  contracting.  She  watched  for  an  opportunity,  when, 
unseen  by  the  white  people,  she  could  go  to  the  slaves' 
quarters ;  and  having  found  one,  she  immediately  hasten 
ed  there,  and  told  them  that  she  had  some  bad  news  for 
them,  but  dared  not  communicate  it  until  they  pledged 
themselves  not  to  betray  her,  which  they  readily  did,  as 
they  did  not  wish  to  bring  harm  upon  her,  which  they 
knew  they  should  do  by  telling  of  her. 

She  then  told  them  that  there  was  some  dispute  about 
the  settlement  of  the  estate,  which,  it  was  thought,  could 
not  be  settled  without  selling  them  all ;  which,  she  said, 
she  could  not  bare  to  see  done. 

They  all  exclaimed  at  once,  "  What  shall  we  do  ?" 
She  answered  frankly,  "  You  had  better  make  your 
escape."  They  said  they  knew  not  where  to  go,  nor  how 
to  do.  She  told  them  that  their  Christmas  holidays 


66  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

were  near  at  hand,  when  they  would  have  permission  to 
go  to  visit  their  friends  and  relatives.  She  recommend 
ed  them  then  to  obtain  of  their  master  John,  passes  for 
this  purpose,  each  of  which  was  to  be  for  a  different 
direction  from  the  others.  Then  leave  for  the  free 
States. 

Most  of  them  did  as  she  directed,  obtained  their  pass 
es,  left  for  the  free  States,  and  have  not  since  been  seen 
at  their  old  home. 

Miss  Betsey  in  this  performed  a  good  deed,  yet  she 
was  soon  after  betrayed,  and  that,  too,  by  a  slave.  An 
old  woman,  whose  sons  escaped  with  the  rest,  made  a  ter 
rible  fuss,  crying  and  lamenting  to  a  great  rate,  and 
saying  that  Miss  Betsey  had  sent  all  her  children  off  to 
the  "  Jarsers  ";  (meaning  New  Jersey,  which  was  the 
only  free  State  of  which  she  seemed  to  have  any  idea,) 
and  she  should  never  see  them  again.  She  continued  in 
this  way  until  it  came  to  the  ears  of  the  white  people, 
who  inquired  of  Miss  Betsey  about  it.  She  denied  all 
knowledge  of  the  matter,  and  said,  "  Cousin  John,  do  you 
think  I  would  advise  the  slaves  to  run  away  ?  I  have 
said  nothing  to  them  about  being  sold.  Old  Priss,  you 
know,  is  always  drunk,  and  knows  not  what  she  says." 

This  partially  quieted  the  heirs,  but  did  not  remove  all 
suspicion,  and  they  still  thought  that  Miss  Betsey  was 
in  some  way  concerned  in  the  affair.  So  when  the  estate 
was  divided,  they  did  not  give  her  as  much  as  would 
wrap  around  her  finger,  and  she  lived  a  poor  girl  for  sev 
eral  years. 

Subsequently   she   removed  to  Baltimore,  where  she 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  67 

married  a  poor  man.  But  God  remembered  her.  Each 
of  the  blacks  whom  she  helped  to  escape  from  bondage, 
upon  hearing  of  her  poverty,  and  her  place  of  residence, 
sent  her  fifty  dollars,  eight  hundred  dollars  in  all,  as  a 
token  of  their  thankfulness  and  gratitude. 

Those   who   did  not  leave,  according  to  her  direction, 
were  all  sold. 


CHAP.  XL 

I  WAS  next  hired  out  to  Mr.  Hughes,  who  was,  com 
paratively,  a  poor  man,  having  but  one  working  slave  of 
his  own  ;  the  rest  on  his  farm  being  all  hired.  His  ac 
commodations  for  his  workmen  were  good ;  we  all  ate  at 
the  kitchen  table. 

I  had  not  been  long  at  this  place,  before  it  became 
known  that  I  could  read  and  write,  upon  which  I  was  for 
bidden  to  visit  the  slaves  on  any  of  the  neighboring  plan 
tations.  One  man,  who  had  several  pretty  girls  upon 
his  farm,  that  I  was  fond  of  visiting,  as  soon  as  he  learn 
ed  that  I  was  sometimes  there,  tried  to  catch  me  to  whip 
me.  But  I  always  managed  to  elude  him,  and  yet  to 
have  him  know  that  I  had  been  there,  after  I  had  gone 
away. 

This  provoked  him  most  desperately,  and  determined 
him  to  catch  me  at  any  rate.  So  he  employed  the  pa- 
trollers  to  watch  for  me,  catch  me  if  possible,  and  by  all 
means  bring  me  to  him  before  flogging  me,  that  he  might 


68  LIFE  OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

enjoy  the  pleasure  by  sharing  in  it.  For  a  long  time 
their  efforts  proved  unavailing.  I  was  often  in  his  house, 
in  the  room  adjoining  that  in  which  he  then  was,  and 
while  the  patrollers  were  searching  the  quarters. 

At  last,  however,  fortune  seemed  to  favor  him.  One 
night,  at  an  unusually  early  hour  for  the  patrollers  to  be 
abroad,  I  was  at  one  of  his  slave  quarters,  while 'the  pa 
trollers  were  at  the  other.  One  of  the  girls  ran  and  told 
me  of  this,  and  said  farther,  that  they  would  be  down 
there  soon.  This,  you  may  well  guess,  was  no  very 
pleasant  news  to  me,  especially  as  I  was  at  the  time 
cozily  seated  beside  a  pretty  young  lady.  And  as  ladies 
you  know,  love  bravery,  so  I  did  not  like  to  hasten  my 
usual  steps,  lest  it  should  appear  like  cowardice ;  still,  I 
knew  delays  were  dangerous. 

I  considered  a  moment,  and  finally  started,  thinking  it 
my  safest  course ;  but  I  had  not  proceeded  more  than 
five  feet  from  the  door,  before  the  enemy  were  upon  me. 
There  was  another  colored  man  in  the  quarter  at  the 
same  time,  who,  if  caught,  was  as  liable  to  be  whipped 
as  myself;  still,  I  was  their  special  object  of  pursuit,  as 
Mr.  Bowlding  had  promised  them  twenty-five  dollars,  if 
they  caught  me  on  his  place. 

When  we  saw  the  patrollers,  we  both  started  at  full 
speed,  Ben,  the  other  colored  man,  being  about  fifty  yards 
ahead,  and  they  after  us.  They  continued  the  chase 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  after  which  they  returned  ; 
but,  still  thinking  them  at  my  heels,  I  continued  my 
flight  a  mile,  Ben  still  in  advance.  As  soon  as  I  discov 
ered  that  we  were  alone,  I  called  to  Ben  to  stop  ;  but  he, 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  69 

thinking  it  was  the  voice  of  one  of  his  pursuers,  only  put 
on  more  steam,  until,  finally,  he  ran  against  a  rail  fence, 
(the  night  being  very  dark,)  knocked  down  two  lengths 
of  it,  and  fell  upon  it  himself,  which  stopped  his  career 
until  I  came  up,  explained  all,  and  banished  his  fears. 

We  stopped  awhile  to  rest  ourselves,  and  consult  upon 
our  farther  course.  I  concluded  best  for  me  to  go  home, 
but  he  decided  upon  returning  to  the  quarters,  thinking 
the  patrollers  would  now  be  gone,  and  he  did  not  like  to 
forego  a  pleasant  chat  with  the  ladies,  especially  as  he 
had  come  so  far  for  that  express  purpose.  He  thought 
this  step  would  efface  from  the  ladies'  minds  this  appear 
ance  of  his  cowardice,  and  restore  his  reputation  for  he 
roism,  because  no  person  is  allowed  to  possess  gentle 
manly  bravery  and  valor  at  the  South,  who  will  run  from 
the  face  of  any  man,  or  will  not  even  courageously  look 
death  in  the  face,  with  all  its  terrors.  I  did  not  for  a 
moment  doubt  that  the  company  of  ladies  was  pleasant, 
and  that  a  display  of  heroism  was  a  pretty  sure  pathway 
to  their  favor ;  still,  I  thought  the  preservation  of  a 
sound  back,  was  not  a  thing  to  be  overlooked,  or  treated 
lightly,  so  I  determined  to  proceed  homeward,  which  de 
termination,  as  the  sequel  will  show,  proved  a  wise  one. 
Ben  returned  to  the  quarters,  and  while  standing  in  the 
yard,  rehearsing  the  particulars  of  his  flight,  the  patrol 
lers  suddenly  came  upon  him,  and  seized  him  behind  by 
the  collar  of  his  jacket.  This  garment  being  loose,  he 
threw  his  arms  back  and  ran  out  of  it.  And  now  follow 
ed  another  chase,  in  which,  as  before,  Ben  was  victorious, 
and  reached  home  in  safety. 


70  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

The  affair  passed  off,  and  I  supposed  was  ended,  until 
about  two  weeks  .afterwards,  when  one  day,  being  at  work 
near  the  house,  I  saw  two  horsemen  ride  up  to  the  stile, 
dismount  and  enter  the  house.  Very  soon  Mr.  Hughes 
came  to  the  door,  and  requested  me  to  come  to  the  house. 
I  did  so,  when,  to  my  surprise,  I  found  the  horsemen 
were  constables. 

Mr.  Hughes,  turning  to  me,  said,  "  John,  these  gentle 
men  have  come  to  take  you  before  a  magistrate,  to  testify 
to  what  you  know  concerning  the  wheat  that  was  found 
at  Mr.  Bowlding's,  on  the'night  that  you  ran  from  there." 
I  replied,  "  I  know  nothing  of  the  wheat,  as  I  saw  and 
heard  of  none."  "  Well,"  he  said,  "  you  will  only  be  re 
quired  to  tell  of  what  you  know.  Do  you  know  the  con 
sequence  of  taking  a  false  oath  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  I  replied.  "  Well,  what  is  it?"  he  asked. 
"I  shall  go  to  hell,"  I  answered.  "  Yes,  and  that  is  not 
all,"  he  said,  "  you  will  also  have  your  ears  cropped." 

Turning  to  the  constable,  he  said,  "  Mr.  Waters,  please 
send  him  home  as  soon  as  you  are  through  with  him,  for 
I  am  very  busy  and  need  him."  He  added,  to  me,  "  hur 
ry  home  as  soon  as  they  get  done  with  you ;  do  you 
hear  ?"  "  Yes  sir,"  I  answered.  Upon  this  we  started. 

We  had  to  go  about  a  mile,  mostly  through  the  woods, 
and  they,  fearing  I  would  seize  this  opportunity,  so  good 
a  one,  to  try  to  escape,  began  to  cut  jokes  to  amuse  me. 
But  I  had  no  idea  of  trying  to  escape,  as  I  did  not  ex 
pect  a  whipping,  knowing  that,  although  a  constable  may 
seize  and  flog  a  slave,  if  caught  from  home  after  nightfall 
without  a  pass  ;  still,  according  to  law,  they  have  no 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  71 

right  to  take  him  before  a  justice  and  whip  him  for  being 
from  home  at  any  time,  that  being  exclusively  the  mas 
ter's  or  overseer's  privilege.  So  I  went  on  cheerfully. 

When  I  reached  the  place  of  trial,  I  saw  a  large  col 
lection  of  people,  it  being  the  day  for  magistrates7  meet 
ings,  and  among  the  rest,  the  girl  I  was  courting,  brought 
there  for  the  purpose  of  humbling  my  pride,  and  morti 
fying  me.  For  you  must  think,  reader,  that  it  would  be 
rather  mortifying  to  be  stripped  and  flogged  in  the  pres 
ence  of  a  girl,  especially,  after  cutting  such  a  swell  as  I 
had.  Many  of  the  crowd  came  expressly  to  see  me  whip 
ped,  for  they  thought  I  assumed  too  much  of  the  gentle 
man. 

Ben's  case  came  on  first,  but  neither  of  us  were  allow 
ed  to  be  present,  but  were  kept  in  the  yard  during  the 
trial  and  giving  the  sentence.  Although,  in  the  North 
it  is  customary  to  have  a  defendant  present,  to  hear  his 
case  stated,  yet,  we'  were  denied  this,  and  were  only  in 
formed  of  our  sentence,  after  it  had  been  passed. 

Ben's  sentence  was  to  receive  ten  stripes,  five  for  his 
first,  and  as  many  for  his  second  offence.  While  being 
whipped,  he  dropped  his  handkerchief,  which  the  consta 
ble  picked  up  and  handed  to  him,  upon  which  he  exclaim 
ed,  "  D — n  the  handkerchief."  This  being  reported  to 
the  justice,  five  stripes  more  were  added  to  his  first  sen 
tence,  thus,  making  fifteen  in  all. 

I  was  next  brought  forward,  to  receive  five  stripes, 
when  I  saw  several  smile,  and  heard  them  say  to  the  con 
stable,  "  Put  it  on  well !"  I  was  stretched  up  and  fasten 
ed  to  the  limb  of  &  tree,  just  so  that  my  toes  could  touch 


72  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON,     , 

the  ground.     Every  stroke  buried  the  lash  in  my  flesh. 

When  I  was  released,  instead  of  returning  to  Mr. 
Hughes',  I  went  to  see  my  mistress,  she  being  then  at 
her  brother  Richard's.  I  arrived  there  about  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening,  went  into  the  kitchen,  and  told 
the  servant  that  I  wanted  to  see  mistress ;  who,  upon 
hearing  of  it,  came  directly  out,  and  expressed  much  joy 
at  seeing  me,  saying  :  "  How  do  you  do,  John  ?"  I  told 
her  that  I  was  almost  dead.  "  What  is  the  matter  ?" 
she  inquired.  I  answered,  "  I  am  whipped  almost  to 
death."  "  By  whom  ?"  she  asked.  "  By  the  constable, 
before  the  magistrate."  "  For  what  ?"  said  she.  I  then 
related  to  her  the  whole  story. 

She  rushed  into  the  house,  and  told  her  brother  of  the 
affair,  who  sent  for  me  to  come  in  and  repeat  the  story 
again  to  him.  I  did  so,  and  also  pulled  off  my  jacket,  and 
showed  them  my  shirt,  wet  with  blood.  This  so  affected 
my  mistress,  that  she  commenced  walking  the  floor,  and 
weeping,  saying  meanwhile,  that  she  was  imposed  upon, 
because  she  was  a  lone  girl,  and  had  no  one  to  take  an 
interest  in  her  affairs ;  that  if  her  father  was  alive,  they 
would  sooner  thrust  their  heads  into  the  fire,  than  treat 
her  so.  She  did  not  believe  this  was  for  any  fault  of 
mine,  but  simply  because  they  grudged  her  her  pro 
perty. 

This  roused  master  Richard  at  once,  for  when  she 
spoke  of  her  father,  and  her  lonely  condition,  it  touched 
him  in  a  tender  point.  Now  it  will  be  recollected,  that 
this  man  was  a  lawyer,  and  he  was  feared  rather  than 
respected  by  most  who  knew  him.  He  bade  me  go  home, 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  73 

but  told  me  not  to  go  to  work  until  he  came.  I  went 
home  and  to  bed,  pretending  to  be  very  sick,  so  that 
when  Mr.  Hughes  called  next  morning  for  me  to  go  to 
work,  I  was  unable  to  get  up.  About  10  o'clock  master 
Richard,  mounted  upon  a  fine  horse,  rode  up,  and  asked 
to  see  Mr.  Hughes.  This  gentleman  immediately  came 
out,  and  invited  him  to  alight  and  enter  the  house,  which 
invitation  was  declined,  as,  he  said,  all  his  business  could 
be  transacted  there. 

He  inquired  if  Mr.  Hughes  knew  how  cruelly  I  had 
been  beaten,  and  received  for  answer  that  he  did  not. 
That  he  only  knew  that  two  constables  came  there,  bring 
ing  a  warrant  to  take  me  before  a  magistrate,  in  relation 
to  some  wheat  that  had  been  found  at  Mr.  Thomas 
Bowlding's. 

Master  Richard  inquired  the  names  of  the  constables 
and  magistrates,  and  whatever  else  Mr.  Hughes  knew 
concerning  the  matter ;  after  which  he  asked  for  me. 
Upon  being  called,  I  went  out,  when  master  Richard  told 
me  to  go  over  to  the  magistrate's,  which  I  did,  reaching 
there  before  he  did. 

When  he  entered  the  office,  he  asked  to  see  the  jus 
tice's  docket  or  books,  which  were  shown  him  ;  but  the 
magistrate  seeing  me,  suspected  sbme thing  wrong,  and 
commenced  explaining  before  being  asked.  Master  Rich 
ard  said  nothing,  until  he  had  finished  examining  the  doc 
uments,  where,  failing  to  find  any  charge,  he  inquired 
what  was  the  complaint  alleged  against  me. 

Oh  !  he  said,  there  was  no  regular  complaint ;  but  Mr. 
Hughes  said  I  would  not  work  and  attend  to  my  duty  at 

7 


74  LIFE    OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

home,  and  Mr.  Bowlding  complained  that  I  went  to  his 
plantation  and  kept  the  girls  up  all  night,  so  that  they 
were  unfit  for  service  next  day  ;  so  he  thought  he  would 
order  me  a  few  stripes,  just  to  frighten  and  keep  me  in 
order. 

"  That,  then,  is  all,  sir  ?"  inquired  master  Richard, 
contemptuously.  He  then  bade  me  take  off  my  shirt, 
and  exhibit  my  bruised  back,  after  which  he  added  to  the 
justice,  "  Now,  sir,  please  look  at  his  back  !  is  that  mere 
ly  to  frighten  him  ?  You  had  no  right  to  do  this,  and  I 
will  make  it  cost  you  more  than  he  is  worth !" 

In  the  meantime,  the  constable  came  up,  upon  seeing 
whom,  master  Richard  went  towards  him,  asking,  "  Why 
did  you  whip  my  sister's  negro  in  such  a  manner  ?" 
"  Because  it  was  my  duty,"  was  the  answer.  "  Then, 
sir,  it  is  my  duty  to  give  you  just  such  an  one,"  said 
master  Richard,  at  the  same  time  drawing  his  pistol, 
cocking  and  presenting  it  to  the  affrighted  constable. 
"  And,"  he  continued,  "  I  will  blow  out  your  brains,  if 
you  move  !"  He  then,  with  his  horsewhip,  lashed  the 
constable  as  much  as  he  thought  he  needed,  the  fellow 
making  not  the  least  resistance. 

I  went  home  to  Mr.  Hughes'  as  well  as  ever,  nor  was 
I  again  troubled  by*  patrollers,  while  I  remained  in  his 
employ.  He  one  day  said  to  me,  "  John,  now  I  hope 
you  will  stay  at  home.  You  have  caused  more  disturb 
ance  in  the  neighborhood,  than  any  one  before ;  have 
caused  Mr.  Simpson  to  be  turned  out  of  office,  and  to  be 
obliged  to  pay  more  than  you  are  worth.  I  would  not 
have  you  another  year  as  a  gift,  and  shall  be  glad  when 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  75 

your  time  is  up."     So  at  Christmas,  I  left  Mr.  Hughes, 
and  went  to  a  new  place. 


CHAP.   XII. 

MY  new  master's  name  was  Mr.  Horken.  He  was  a 
tolerably  good  man,  so  far  as  whipping  was  concerned  ; 
but  fed  his  slaves  most  miserably,  giving  them  meat  only 
once  each  month. 

At  the  plantation  where  I  lived  two  years  previously, 
I  became  acquainted  with  three  slaves,  who  had  now  de 
termined  to  make  an  effort  to  gain  their  freedom,  by 
starting  for  the  free  States.  They  came  down  to  see  me, 
and  try  to  induce  me  to  go  with  them,  they  intending  to 
start  in  about  three  weeks  ;  but  they  exacted  from  me  a 
promise  of  secrecy  in  regard  to  the  whole  matter.  I  had 
not  as  yet  fully  made  up  my  mind  to  make  an  attempt 
for  my  freedom,  therefore  did  not  give  a  positive  promise 
to  accompany  them.  I  had  known  several,  who,  having 
made  the  attempt,  had  failed,  been  brought  back,  whip 
ped,  and  then  sold  far  to  the  South.  Such  considera 
tions  somewhat  discouraged  me  from  making  the  at 
tempt. 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  them  to  start,  they  came 
again  to  know  my  decision.  I  told  them  that  I  had  con 
sulted  my  mother,  whose  fears  for  my  success  were  so 
great,  that  she  had  persuaded  me  not  to  go.  These  three 
friends  were  very  religious  persons,  one  of  them  being  a 


76  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

Methodist  preacher.  He,  in  particular,  urged  me  very 
strongly  to  accompany  them,  saying  that  he  had  full  con 
fidence  in  the  surety  of  the  promises  of  God,  who  had 
said  that  heaven  and  earth  should  pass  away,  before  one 
jot  of  his  word  should  fail ;  that  he  had  often  tried  God, 
and  never  knew  him  to  fail ;  consequently  he  believed  he 
was  able  to  carry  him  safely  to  the  land  of  freedom,  and 
accordingly  he  was  determined  to  go.  Still  I  was  afraid 
to  risk  myself  on  such  uncertain  promises  ;  I  dared  not 
trust  an  unseen  God. 

This  visit  to  me  was  on  Sunday,  and  they  had  planned 
to  start  the  Saturday  night  following,  and  travel  the  next 
-Sunday  and  Monday.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  slaves 
to  go  away  on  Saturday  and  not  return  until  the  follow 
ing  Tuesday,  feigning  sickness  as  an  excuse,  though  this 
pretence  not  unfrequently  subjected  them  to  a  flogging. 
So  that  very  little  alarm  was  felt  for  a  slave's  absence 
until  Wednesday,  unless  his  previous  conduct  had  excited 
suspicion. 

On  the  night  on  which  they  intended  to  start,  accom 
panied  by  several  of  their  fellow  slaves,  they  repaired  to 
:an  open  lot  of  ground.  Others,  prompted  by  curiosity, 
followed,  until  quite  a  large  concourse  was  assembled. 
Here  they  knelt  in  prayer  to  the  great  God  of  Heaven 
and  Earth,  invoking  Him  to  guard  them  through  every 
troublesome  scene  of  this  life,  and  go  with  them  to  their 
journey's  end.  Afterwards  they  sang  a  parting  hymn, 
bidding  their  companions  no  other  farewell,  the  hymn  be 
ing  exactly  appropriate  to  the  occasion.  It  wras  one  of 
the  old  camp-meeting  songs  : — 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  77 

4{  Farewell  my  dear  brethren,  I  bid  you  farewell ! 
I  am  going  to  travel  the  way  to  excel ; 
I  am  going  to  travel  the  wilderness  through, 
Therefore,  my  dear  brethren,  I  bid  you  adieu  ! 

The  thought  of  our  parting  doth  cause  me  to  grieve, 
So  well  do  I  love  you ;  still  you  I  must  leave  ; 
Though  we  live  at  a  distance,  and  you  I  no  more  see, 
On  the  banks  of  old  Canaan  united  we  will  be." 

I  well  remember  the  evening  of  their  departure. 
It  was  a  beautiful  night,  the  moon  poured  a  flood  of 
silver  light,  and  the  stars  shone  brilliantly  upon  their 
pathway,  seeming  like  witness  of  God's  presence,  and  an 
encouragement  that  he  would  guide  them  to  their  jour 
ney's  end. 

After  they  had  gone,  I  began  to  regret  that  I  had  so 
much  distrusted  God,  and  had  not  accompanied  them, 
and  these  regrets  weighed  so  heavily  upon  my  mind,  that 
I  could  not  rest  day  or  night. 

Wednesday  came,  and  with  it  uproar  and  confusion, 
for  three  slaves  were  missing,  of  whom  no  one  could  give 
any  account.  Search  was  instantly  made,  which  was,  of 
course,  unavailing,  since  they  were  already  safe  in  some 
free  State.  Who  would  have  thought  that  those  content 
ed  negroes  would  have  left  their  masters,  preferring  free 
dom  to  slavery?  But  they  are  in  Canada. 

Some  time  after  this,  master  Richard  concluded  to  sell 
his  plantation,  and  with  his  slaves  remove  to  Mississippi, 
my  mistress  consenting  that  he  might  take  hers  also.  So 
he,  one  day,  told  me  that  I  could  have  my  choice,  go  with 
him  or  be  sold.  I  told  him  I  would  not  leave  him  to  go 
to  any  one  else  in  the  known  world.  He  then  said  that 

7* 


78  LIFE   OP  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

lie  would  hire  me  out  the  next  year,  upon  conditions  that 
mj  employer  should  release  me  to  him  whenever  he  call 
ed  for  me.  So  when  my  year  with  Mr.  Horken  was  up, 
I  was  hired  to  Dr.  Johns  upon  the  above  conditions. 

It  was  rumored  about  that  I.had  given  the  three  es 
caped  slaves  passes,  it  being  known  that  I  could  write  a 
tolerable  hand.  But  master  Richard  looked  into  the 
affair,  and  finding  no  evidence  against  me,  the  subject 
was  dismissed. 

I  lived  with  Dr.  Johns  from  the  commencement  of  the 
year,  until  the  middle  of  June.  About  this  time  two 
more  slaves  attempted  to  escape,  but  were  overtaken, 
caught,  and  brought  back.  It  was  said  they  had  passes, 
but  of  the  truth  of  this  I  am  not  sure,  as  the  slavehold 
ers  reported  many  stories  to  implicate  me  in  guilt.  But 
God  fought  my  battle. 

To  make  matters  appear  still  more  in  my  disfavor,  one 
slave,  whom  I  never  knew,  told  his  master  that  I  was  go 
ing  to  run  away,  and  had  been  trying  to  persuade  him  to 
go  ;  that  my  master  was  going  to  remove  me  South,  but 
that  I  intended  to  leave  for  the  free  States. 

These  were  facts ;  but  how  this  slave  came  by  them  I 
never  knew,  as  I  had  only  confided  them  to  one  man,  and 
he  came  off  with  me.  I  left  home  on  Saturday  night, 
and  on  Sunday  several  slaves  were  arrested  and  put  in 
irons,  suspected  of  intentions  of  trying  to  escape  with 
me.  I  was  about  three  miles  from  home,  and  knew  noth 
ing  of  all  this,  though  they  were  hunting  for  me. 

I  felt  very  melancholy  all  day  Sunday,  yet  knew  not 
the  cause.  Early  Monday  morning,  the  constables  were 


A  FUGITIVE  SLAVE.  79 

at  Dr.  Johns',  waiting  my  arrival,  to  take  me  ;  but  I  did 
not  go  home  that  morning,  nor  have  I  ever  since  been 
there.  Still,  it  was  my  intention  to  have  gong,  but  God 
overruled  that  intention  by  a  better. 

I  started  early  on  Monday  to  return  to  the  doctor's, 
and  got  within  a  mile  of  that  place,  to  a  fork  of  the 
roads,  when  suddenly  my  steps  were  arrested,  and  a  voice- 
seemed  to  say,  don't  go  any  farther  in  that  direction.  I 
stopped,  considered  a  moment,  and  concluded  that  it  was 
mere  fancy  or  conceit.  So  I  started  on  again ;  but  the 
same  feelings  returned  with  redoubled  force. 

What  can  all  this  mean  ?  I  queried  within  myself ; 
these  sensations  so  strange  and  unusual ;  yet  so  strong 
and  irresistable  ?  It  was  God,  warning  me  to  avoid  dan 
ger  by  not  going  home.  So  I  turned  upon  my  footsteps, 
and  immediately  these  feelings  left  me.  I  sat  down  by 
the  side  of  the  road  to  reason  upon  the  matter,  when,  for 
the  first  time,  I  felt  an  entire  confidence  in  God,  and 
prayed  in  faith. 

I  now  made  a  third  attempt  to  go  home.  But  upon 
reaching  the  same  spot,  I  was  more  uncontrollably  effect 
ed  than  before.  I  became  nearly  blind,  my  head  swam, 
and  I  could  scarcely  stand.  I  now  felt  satisfied  that  it 
was  the  working  of  an  unseen  God,  and  really  think  that 
had  I  still  persisted  in  my  attempts  to  go  forward  in  that 
direction,  I  should  have  fallen  as  one  dead,  in  the  road. 

I  therefore  went  into  the  woods  and  stayed  until  night, 
when  I  went  to  a  neighboring  slave's  quarters,  where  I 
got  something  to  eat.  After  this,  I  started  for  Mr.  Mor 
ton's  plantation,  where  Uncle  Harry's  wife  lived,  and 


80  LIFE  VF  JOHN  THOMPSON. 

which  was  near  Dr.  Johns7.  Harry  was  a  carpenter,  and 
was  at  work  for  the  doctor,  therefore  I  knew  that  I 
•could  learn,  through  him  the  whole  state  of  affairs  there, 
as  he  came  home  to  stay  nights. 

As  soon  as  I  entered  the  house,  Uncle  Harry  exclaim 
ed,  "John,  what  have  you  been  doing?'7  "Nothing/7  I 
answered.  He  then  said,  "  the  whole  plantation,  at  the 
doctors,  is  in  an  uproar  about  you,  as  they  say  you  have 
been  giving  passes  to  slaves,  to  help  them  run  away, 
which  you  also  intend  to  do  yourself,*  and,  accordingly, 
the  constables  have  been  on  the  watch  for  you  these  two 
days.  I  saw  your  old  mother  to-day,  who  was  running 
from  one  road  to  the  other,  to  meet  you,  to  prevent  your 
coming  home,  lest  they  should  catch  you.  Now  I  don't 
know  what  you  will  do,  as  they  have  advertised  you,  of 
fering  three  hundred  dollars  for  your  arrest ;  so  the  pa- 
trollers  will  be  looking  for  you ;  consequently  you  had 
better  not  stop  here  long.  I  promised  your  mother  to 
try  and  see  you  to-night.77 

He  told  his  wife  to  give  me  something  to  eat,  but  told 
me  it  would  not  be  safe  for  me  to  stay  there  to  eat  it.  I 
moved  slowly  away,  but  he  hastened  my  footsteps,  as  did 
the  angel  those  of  good  old  Lot,  for  surely  danger  was  at 
my  heels. 

Now  my  morning's  feelings  were  fully  explained.  I 
Imew  it  was  the  hand  of  God,  working  in  my  behalf ;  it 
was  his  voice  warning  me  to  escape  from  the  danger  to 
wards  which  I  was  hastening.  Who  would  not  praise 
such  a  God?  Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be 
praised. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  81 

I  felt  renewed  confidence  and  faith,  for  I  believed  that 
God  was  in  my  favor,  and  now  was  the  time  to  test  the 
matter.  About  two  rods  from  Uncle  Harry's  house  I 
fell  upon  my  knees,  and  with  hands  uplifted  to  high 
heaven,  related  all  the  late  circumstances  to  the  Great 
King,  saying  that  the  whole  world  was  against  me  with 
out  a  cause,  besought  his  protection,  and  solemnly  prom 
ised  to  serve  him  all  the  days  of  my  life.  I  received  a 
spiritual  answer  of  approval ;  a  voice  like  thunder  seem 
ing  to  enter  my  soul,  saying,  I  am  your  God  and  am  with 
you  ;  though  the  whole  world  be  against  you,  I  am  more 
than  the  world  ;  though  wicked  men  hunt  you,  trust  in 
me,  for  I  am  the  Rock  of  your  Defence. 

Had  my  pursuers  then  been  near,  they  must  have 
heard  me,  for  I  praised  God  at  the  top  of  my  voice.  I 
was  determined  to  take  him  at  his  word,  and  risk  the 
consequences. 

I  retired  to  my  hiding  place  in  the  woods  until  the 
next  night,  when  I  returned  to  Uncle  Harry's,  that  I 
might  see  or  hear  from  my  mother.  I  found  her  there 
waiting  for  me.  She  had  brought  food  in  her  pocket  for 
me. 

I  inquired  if  the  patrollers  had  been  there  in  search  of 
me,  and  was  told  that  they  had  not  as  yet,  but  would, 
doubtless,  be  there  that  night. 

My  mother  appeared  almost  heart-broken.  She  did 
not  wish  me  to  go  away,  and  had  been  to  master  Richard 
about  me,  who  had  promised  to  inquire  into  the  accusations 
against  me,  and  if  there  was  not  sufficient  proof  to  sub 
stantiate  them,  they  could  not  injure  me.  But  he  recoin- 


82  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

mended  that  I  should  keep  out  of  sight  for  the  present, 
and  if  he  could  do  nothing  else  in  my  favor,  ho  would  so 
manage,  that  when  he  was  ready  to  go  South,  I  could  be 
got  off  with  him.  I  thought  this  a  very  wise  plan  too, 
in  case  I  desired  to  go  South ;  but  I  had  fully  resolved 
to  go  North. 

I  did  not,  however,  communicate  this  resolution  to 
mother,  as  I  saw  she-  was  not  in  a  proper  condition  to  re 
ceive  it.  She  promised  to  go  again  to  master  Richard, 
and  come  and  let  me  know  the  result  of  her  visit.  But 
I  knew  I  should  never  again  see  her,  and  that  I  was  then 
probably  taking  my  last  look  of  her — this  side  the  grave. 

Upon  leaving  me,  she  took  my  hand,  and  in  a  voice 
choked  by  sobs,  gave  me  her  parting  blessing.  My  heart 
was  so  full  that  I  could  scarcely  endure  this,  and  but  for 
the  support  of  God,  I  must  have  fainted.  I  now  return 
ed  to  my  hiding  place,  leaving  word  with  Uncle  Harry, 
where  the  friend  who  had  promised  to  come  away  with 
me,  might  find  me. 

As  soon,  as  he  heard  he  came  directly  to- see  me,  for  he 
had  been  anxious  lest  I  should  go  off  without  him. 


CHAP.  XIII. 


THIS  friend  lived  about  eight  miles  from  my  hiding 
place,  to  which  he  walked  after  his  day's  work  was  end 
ed.  He  wished  me  to  go  home  and  stay  with  him  until 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  83 

he  was  ready  to  leave.  I  was  very  glad  to  do  this,  as  he 
had  a  secure  place,  where  they  would  least  expect  to  find 
me.  We  had  appointed  two  different  times  before  this  to 
start,  and  had  been  disappointed ;  still,  his  determination 
was  firm  to  go. 

I  left  my  old  hiding  place,  where  I  had  spent  one  com 
fortable  week,  in  solemn  meditation  and  sweet  commu 
nion  with  God,  and  went  home  with  my  friend. 

He  was  coachman  to  his  master,  and  had  a  room  above 
the  kitchen,  which  no  one  entered  but  himself,  and  where 
he  concealed  me.  His  master  drove,  whipped,  and  cloth 
ed  his  slaves  mo*st  unmercifully,  but  fed  them  uncom 
monly  well ;  consequently,  my  friend  was  able  to  feed  me 
well,  while  I  was  his  guest,  he  often  coming  to  his  room 
unseen,  to  see  if  I  needed  any  thing. 

He  went  one  night  to  the  neighborhood  where  I  had 
lived,  but  returned  with  very  discouraging  news.  Three 
hundred  dollars  had  been  offered  for  me,  and  I  had  been 
advertised  in  all  the  papers  ;  therefore,  he  thought  my 
way  so  much  hedged  in,  that  my  escape  was  impossible, 
and  finally  concluded  not  to  try  himself.  I  did  not  care 
so  much  for  the  advertisement,  as  for  this  determination 
of  his,  which  rather  discouraged  me,  for  I  knew  he  was 
a  shrewd  man,  also,  that  his  business  had  often  taken 
him  from  home  in  different  directions  ;  therefore,!  thought 
he  would  know  more  of  the  way  than  myself,  and  I  had 
accordingly,  waited  long  for,  and  relied  much  upon,  him. 
But  my  trust  in  Him  who  will  not  forsake  in  time  of 
need,  was  greater ;  so  I  resolved  to  try  the  road  alone 
and  abide  the  consequences. 


84  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

I  passed  most  of  my  time  in  supplication  to  my  Great 
Conductor,  until  the  next  Friday,  the  time  appointed  for 
my  departure.  The  most  discouraging  thing  seemed  my 
ignorance  of  the  direction  I  ought  to  pursue.  I  knew 
well  that  dangers  thickly  beset  the  pathway,  and  that 
should  I  miss  my  way,  it  would  be  almost  certain  failure 
to  inquire  it  of  a  white  man ;  also,  that  I  must  starve 
rather  than  ask  one  for  food. 

Various  were  the  suggestions  which  the  enemy  of 
souls  continually  presented  to  my  mind,  to  weaken  my 
trust  in  God ;  but,  like  Abraham  of  old,  I  drove  them 
away,  still  held  my  confidence,  and  prayed  incessantly. 
The  all-important  Friday  now  came,  and  I  thought  it 
necessary  to  make  one  more  trial,  a  third  covenant  with 
God,  since  it  is  said  a  threefold  cord  is  not  easily  brok 
en.  So  I  again  inquired  of  Him  relative  to  this  under 
taking,  and  was  soon  spiritually  convinced  that  He  was 
still  with  me,  and  would  so  continue  to  the  end  of  my 
journey  ;  so  I  fully  and  finally  committed  myself  to  his 
charge,  and  determined  to  start  that  night. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  my  friend  came 
in  with  the  good  tidings  that  he  had  changed  his  mind, 
and  concluded  to  accompany  me,  which  quite  encouraged 
me,  though  it  did  not  change  my  trust  from  divine  to 
human  aid.  The  evening  came,  and  with  it  my  friend, 
true  to  his  promise.  He  said,  "  Come,  let  us  be  going  ; 
I  believe  God's  promise  is  sufficient,  and  I  will  try  Him, 
and  see  what  He  will  do  for  me.  Let  us  trust  every 
thing  to  him  and  serve  him  better.  If  we  are  taken,  he 
has  power  to  provide  a  way  for  our  escape." 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  85 

"We  started  about  8  o'clock  in  the  evening.  After 
travelling  about  three  miles,  we  saw  many  horses  feeding 
near  the  road,  and  concluding  that  four  legs  were  better 
adapted  to  speed  than  two,  we  took  one  apiece.  We  went 
to  a  barn  and  took  two  blankets,  but  while  hunting  for 
bridles,  were  routed  and  chased  some  distance  by  the 
faithful  watch  dogs  of  the  farm.  Then  we  conclude'd  to 
go  to  nature's  manufactory  ;  so  we  cut  grape  vines,  made 
for  ourselves  bridles,  mounted  our  horses,  and  rode  at 
full  speed  until  day-break,  after  which  we  turned  them 
loose,  leaving  them  to  shift  for  themselves,  and  thanking 
them  for  their  aid  to  us.  I  think  we  must  have  travel 
led  at  least  forty  miles  that  night ;  yet,  strange  to  say, 
did  not  meet  a  single  person. 

The  following  day  we  travelled  rapidly,  and,  about  four 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  reached  Washington  city.  I  went  to  a 
store  and  bought  a  pair  of  shoes,  and  on  the  way  met  a 
colored  man  with  whom  I  was  acquainted,  we  having  been 
raised  on  the  same  farm.  He  inquired  what  wind  blew 
me  there  at  that  time  of  year,  it  not  being  holiday  time, 
I  knew  this  man  was  a  Christian,  and  therefore  that  it 
was  safe  to  trust  him,  which  is  not  true  of  all,  since 
there  are  as  many  treacherous  colored,  as  white  men.  I 
told  him  I  had  started  for  the  free  States,  and  thought  to 
go  to  Baltimore  by  steamboat ;  but  he  said  that  would  be- 
impossible. 

I  asked  what  I  should  do  ;  to  which  he  replied  that  he- 
could  not  tell,  but  pointing  to  a  house  near  by,  said, 
"  There  lives  Mrs.  R.,  a  free  woman,  and  one  of  God's 
true  children,  who  has  travelled  there  many  times,  and! 

8 


86  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

can  direct  you.     You  may  depend   upon  what  she  tells 
you." 

I  went  as  directed,  and  inquired  for  Mrs.  R.  She  in 
vited  me  to  enter,  and  asked  where  I  was  from ;  upon 
which  I  related  my  whole  history,  during  the  recital  of 
which  tears  ran  down  her  cheeks.  When  I  ended,  she 
said,  "  let  us  pray."  We  knelt  before  God,  when  such  a 
prayer  as  I  never  heard  from  mortal  lips,  fell  from  hers. 
I  felt  God's  presence  sensibly. 

After  the  prayer  was  concluded,  she  gave  us  a  very 
good  dinner.  I  asked  for  pen  and  ink,  and  prepared  to 
write  a  pass,  upon  which  she^said,  "  Lay  aside  those  earth 
ly,  selfish  dependencies  ;  God  cannot  work  when  you  de 
pend  partly  on  self ;  you  must  put  your  trust  entirely  in 
Him,  believing  him  to  be  all-sufficient.  If  you  will  do 
this,"  she  added,  with  raised  hands,  "  I  will  give  my 
head  for  a  chopping  block,  if  he  does  not  carry  you  safe 
ly  through,  for  I  never  knew  him  to  fail." 

She  then  gave  us  directions  for  our  journey,  naming 
the  dangerous  places  which  we  were  to  avoid  ;  after  which 
we  started  with  renewed  courage.  After  travelling  about 
two  miles  we  came  to  a  bridge,  upon  which  were  many 
hands  at  work,  under  the  supervision  of  a  "  boss."  They 
did  not  address  us,  although  they  looked  steadily  at  us, 
as  if  they  wished  to  do  so. 

This  was  a  toll  bridge,  at  which  footmen  paid  two 
cents,  but  when  we  crossed,  the  toll  man  was  in  so  high 
dispute  with  a  teamster,  who  had  just  crossed,  that  he 
did  not  notice  us.  Thus  God  paid  our  toll. 

About  a  mile  beyond  this,  we  came  to  a  place  where 


A  FUGITIVE  SLAVE.  87 

were  several  Irishmen  quarrying  stone.  They  stopped 
work  as  we  approached,  looked  hard  at  us,  and  I  heard 
them  say,  "  Here  come  two  negroes  who  look  like  runa 
ways  ;  we  can  make  a  penny  apiece  off  them,  let's  take 
them  up."  This  was  a  trying  time,  and  exercised  all  the 
faith  of  which  we  were  possessed.  But  faith  is  the  sub 
stance  of  things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things 
not  seen  ;  by  it  the  elders  obtained  a  good  report. 

But  notwithstanding  the  suggestions  of  these  men  and 
our  passing  near  them,  still  they  did  not  molest  us,  al 
though  they  followed  us  with  their  eyes,  as  far  as~they 
could  see  us.  This  was  another  Ebenezer  for  us  to  raise, 
in  token  of  God's  deliverance ;  so  when  we  were  out  of 
their  sight,  we  knelt  and  offered  up  our  thanksgiving  to 
God  for  this  great  salvation. 

Three  miles  farther  on  we  passed  a  village  tavern,  at 
the  door  of  which  stood  a  stage  coach  loaded  with  pas 
sengers,  of  the  driver  of  which  we  inquired  the  way  to 
a  certain  town.  We  had  travelled  about  a  mile  in  the 
direction  he  designated,  when  we  saw  two  horsemen  fol 
lowing  us,  in  great  haste.  We  suspected  they  were  in 
pursuit  of  us,  but  as  there  were  no  woods  near,  saw  no 
means  of  escape. 

As  they  came  up  they  said,  "  Boys,  where  are  you  go 
ing  ?"  We  named  the  town  which  was  about  three  miles 
distant.  "  You  will  not  get  there  to-night,"  said  one. 
"  No,  sir,  we  don't  expect  it,"  I  answered. 

They  kept  along  with  us  for  about  a  mile.  I  soon  sus 
pected  their  object  was  to  arrest  us,  that  they  dared  not 
attempt  it  alone,  but  that  they  hoped  to  meet  some  one 


88  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

who  would  assist  them.  One  of  them  entered  a  tavern, 
which  we  passed,  but  finding  no  help  there,  came  out  and 
continued  on  with  us. 

After  awhile  one  of  them  rode  on  ahead  of  us,  when 
the  other  tried  to  check  him  by  saying,  "  We  must  not  go 
so  fast,  they  will  take  another  road/7  This  verified  our 
suspicions  that  they  were  after  us. 

My  companion  began  to  complain  that  it  was  now  a 
gone  case  with  us,  and  said  he  wished  he  had  not  come. 
I  reproved  him  for  this  faithlessness  ;  told  him  if  this 
was  his  course  of  procedure,  that  we  should  soon  be  tak 
en  up,  and  reminded  him  of  his  promise  to  trust  in  God, 
let  danger  assume  whatever  shape  it  might.  I  told  him 
my  confidence  remained  unshaken,  that  I  had  no  reason 
at  all  to  doubt.  Upon  this  he  braved  up,  and  went  on 
cheerfully. 

When  we  approached  the  town  of  Rockville,  our  unde 
sirable  companions  road  off  at  full  speed,  thinking,  doubt 
less,  that  we  should  be  foolish  enough  to  follow.  We 
thought  it  wisest,  however,  as  soon  as  they  were  out  of 
sight,  to  take  the  woods  until  night.  But  whilst  resting 
under  the  bushes,  we  observed  two  boys  approaching, 
one  black  the  other  white.  The  latter  exclaimed  at  once, 
•"  There  are  two  runaways,  I  will  go  and  tell  my  father." 

The  boys  went  directly  to  a  man  who  was  near  by 
ploughing,  and  informed  against  us.  We  saw  that  to  re 
main  there  would  be  unsafe,  so  we  resumed  our  journey. 
As  we  stood  on  a  hill  near  Kockville,  we  could  look  down 
into  the  village,  where  we  saw  many  people,  apparently 
awaiting  our  arrival ;  therefore  we  presumed  the  two 


A  FUGITIVE  SLAVE.  89 

horsemen  had  onlj  gone  ahead  to  prepare  for  our  recep 
tion. 

We  saw  a  colored  man  near  by,  of  whom  we  inquired 
what  course  we  could  take  to  go  around  the  village  ;  but 
he  would  give  us  no  information  whatever.  So  we  decid 
ed  that  our  best  way  was  to  venture  directly  through  the 
town,  and  had  started  to  do  so,  when  a  colored  man,  who 
was  driving  a  wood  team,  seeing  that  we  were  strangers, 
and  guessing  we  were  runaways,  came  near  and  said  to 
us,  "I  see  you  are  strangers,  and  I  hope  you  will  excuse 
my  boldness  in  addressing  you.  I  wish  to  say,  that  you 
had  best  not  go  through  the  village,  unless  you  have  the 
necessary  papers.  Whether  you  have  such  documents 
you  best  know.  No  colored  man  can  pass  here,  without 
being  subjected  to  a  close  examination." 

We  thanked  him,  and  gave  him  to  understand  that  we 
felt  our  cases  to  be  nearly  desperate,  and  wished  him  to 
tell  us  the  best  way  to  go  around  the  town.  He  kindly 
told  u?,  and  we  started  to  follow  his  directions,  which 
were  to  go  through  the  woods  and  enter  the  main  road 
again,  on  the  other  side  of  the  town. 

But  we  had  proceeded  but  a  little  way  into  the  wood, 
when,  to  our  surprise,  we  saw^,  coming  towards  us,  down 
the  road,  a  great  number  of  men,  some  on  foot,  others  on 
horses,  who  had  probably  seen  us  as  we  left  the  road  for 
the  wood.  We  fell  back  farther  into  the  woods,  but  it 
being  large  timber,  with  few  bushes,  we  had  little  chance 
of  concealment,  and  were  truly  in  a  bad  fix. 

We  at  last  found  an  old  tree,  which  had  fallen  so  that 
the  trunk  was  supported  by  the  limbs  about  two  feet  from 


00  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

the  ground.  Under  this  we  crawled  and  lay  flat  upon 
our  faces,  as  being  the  safest  place  we  could  find,  and  lit 
tle  safety  there  seemed  to  me  in  this,  for  I  thought  a  man 
a  hundred  yards  off  might  have  seen  us,  with  half  an 
eye. 

We  saw  the  huntsmen  and  their  dogs  within  ten  yards 
of  us,  and  even  heard  them  say,  "  They  must  be  near 
this  place !"  We  lay  still,  and  held  God  to  his  promise, 
though  when  danger  came  so  near,  our  hopes  began  to 
vanish,  and  like  Israel  we  began  to  mourn.  But  stand 
still  and  see  the  salvation  of  God,  which  he  will  show 
thee  to-day. 

Presently  one  man  said,  "  I  think  they  have  gone  farth 
er  into  the  woods.  There  is  no  place  of  concealment 
here,  and  besides  the  dogs  would  find  them."  Oh,  fool 
ish  man  !  God  bestowed  their  senses  and  he  can  take 
them  away.  He  can  touch  one  nerve  of  the  brain,  and 
directly  their  understanding  is  lost. 

They  finally  went  farther  into  the  woods,  listening  to 
their  dogs,  who  seemed  as  anxious  as  their  masters,  to 
find  us  ;  but  they  could  not  hit  upon  the  right  trail. 
We  remained  under  the  friendly  tree  from  five  in  the  af 
ternoon  until  ten  in  the  evening  ;  when,  thinking  all  was 
safe,  after  returning  God  our  thanks,  we  left  our  hiding 
place,  and  pursued  our  journey,  determining  to  travel 
hereafter  no  more  by  day. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE,  91 

CHAP.  XIV. 

ABOUT  three  miles  farther  on  we  discovered  two  horses 
saddled,  standing  tied  in  the  wood  near  the  road,  which, 
we  soon  discovered,  were  the  same  upon  which  the  men 
rode  who  had  overtaken  us  before  we  reached  Rockville. 
We  knew  them  by  the  pieces  of  buffalo  skin  on  their  sad 
dles.  Their  riders  had  evidently  left  them  and  conceal 
ed  themselves  near  by,  to  watch  the  road,  thinking  we 
should  leave  our  hiding  places  after  dark,  and  resume 
our  journey. 

Upon  making  this  discovery  we  entered  a  rye  field, 
through  which  we  passed,  still  keeping  the  road  in  sight. 
Thus  we  went  on  for  two  or  three  hours,  through  fields, 
bushes  and  swamps,  until  worn  out  with  fatigue  and  hun 
ger,  we  were  forced  to  lie  down  to  rest.  Here  we  soon 
fell  asleep,  and  did  not  awake  until  day -light.  It  was 
now  Sunday.  After  praying  we  resumed  our  journey, 
taking  the  road. 

Uncertain  ourselves  whether  we  were  in  the  right  or 
wrong  way,  we  could  only  trust  to  the  guidance  of  the 
Great  Pilot  as  we  travelled  onward,  and  when  we  were 
hungry  we  prayed  for  spiritual  food,  which  seemed  to 
strengthen  and  fill  us. 

We  now  saw  a  colored  man  sitting  upon  the  fence, 
about  a  mile  from  us,  whom  we  approached,  when  he  im 
mediately  accosted  us  in  these  words  :  "  Good  morning, 
my  friends,  I  have  been  sitting  here  for  about  an  hour, 
unable  to  move  with  all  the  effort  I  could  make,  when  I 
ought  to  have  been  at  home,  (as  I  am  a  coachman,)  pre- 


92  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

paring  my  horses  and  carriage  to  take-  the  people  to 
church.  I  now  feel  why  I  have  been  thus  forced  against 
my  will  to  remain  here ;  it  is  that  I  may  help  you.  And 
now  tell  me  what  I  can  do  for  you,  for  as  God  liveth  I 
will  do  it  if  possible." 

We  told  him  that  we  had  been  travelling  since  Friday, 
without  any  food,  and  were  now  nearly  famishing.  Point 
ing  to  a  farmer's  house,  he  said,  "  Go  there  and  inquire 
for  my  wife  ;  tell  her  I  sent  you  that  she  might  give  you 
something  to  eat.  She  is  the  cook  for  the  farm. 

We  thanked  him,  and  started  to  follow  his  directions. 
Upon  reaching  the  house,  we  saw  the  overseer  standing 
in  the  yard,  who  scrutinized  us  very  closely  and  sus 
piciously.  Nevertheless  we  inquired  for  the  cook,  who 
soon  made  her  appearance,  when  we  did  our  errand  ;  and 
although  she  quickly  answered,  "I  don't  see  why  he 
should  send  you  here,  for  I  have  nothing  for  you  to  eat, 
and  he  knows  it ;"  still,  we  could  see  that  we  had  awak 
ened  her  sympathy,  and  that  she  only  answered  thus  in 
differently  because  of  the  overseer. 

He,  however,  told  her  to  give  us  some  breakfast ;  upon 
which  she  took  us  into  the  kitchen,  while  he  started  in 
stantly  to  get  help  to  take  us.  The  cook  suspected  as 
much,  and  told  us  so,  and  the  slaves  immediately  conceal 
ed  us  very  carefully.  Soon  the  overseer  returned  with 
his  help,  and  inquired  for  us,  when  the  slaves  told  him 
that  we  went  away  soon  after  he  did.  He  inquired  in 
what  direction,  and  when  they  had  told  him,  he  started 
off  in  hot  haste  in  pursuit. 

The  slaves  expressed  great  astonishment  that  we  had 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  93 

come  so  far  without  getting  taken  up,  but  told  us  to  keep 
still,  and  they  would  take  care  of  us.  At  night  a  free 
colored  man  took  us  through  unfrequented  paths,  to  es 
cape  the  vigilance  of  the  overseer,  until  we  reached  Fred- 
ericktown,  when  he  said  he  could  go  no  further,  as,  if  we 
were  taken  and  he  found  in  our  company,  it  would  ruin 
him.  Moreover,  he  was  fearful  we  could  not  get  through 
the  town,  as  no  colored  man  was  allowed  to  pass  through 
after  nightfall.  Therefore,  to  avoid  creating  suspicion 
and  being  arrested,  we  decided  to  part  company  for  the 
present,  I  to  go  through  the  town  on  one  side,  and  my 
companion  on  the  other. 

Before  parting  from  our  kind  conductor,  we  knelt  down 
and  besought  God  to  conduct  us  on  our  way,  and  shield 
us  from  all  harm  ;  and  again  we  made  a  mutual  promise, 
to  place  all  our  trust  in  divine  strength.  We  saw  many 
people  as  we  passed  through  the  town,  none  of  whom  no 
ticed  us,  until  we  were  about  to  leave  it,  when  we  per 
ceived  a  large  and  noisy  crowd,  apparently  intoxicated, 
coming  towards  us. 

We  left  the  road  until  they  had  passed,  when  we  again 
resumed  our  journey  together.  We  soon  came  to  a  fork 
in  the  roads,  when,  not  knowing  which  to  take,  we  pulled 
down  a  guideboard  and  ascertained  ;  after  which  we  went 
on  until  daybreak,  when  we  took  shelter  in  the  woods 
during  the  day  on  Monday. 

The  following  night  we  travelled  without  interruption, 
and  on  Tuesday  lay  all  day  concealed  in  a  rye  field. 
We  travelled  Tuesday  night  until  within  five  miles  of 
Baltimore,  when  we  missed  our  way.  Here  again  we  had 


94  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

an  instance  of  God's  care  for  us,  for  had  the  night  been 
one  hour  longer,  we  should  probably  have  reached  Balti 
more,  and  been  taken. 

But,  early  in  the  morning  we  met  a  colored  man,  who, 
as  we  hesitated  to  answer  him  when  he  asked  where  we 
were  going,  said  we  need  not  fear  him,  as  he  was  friend 
ly,  and  would  not  hurt  a  hair  of  our  heads.  Thus  as 
sured  we  revealed  to  him  our  secret,  when  he  exclaimed, 
"  My  friends,  you  are  running  directly  to  destruction  ! 
That  is  the  road  to  Baltimore,  which  is  but  five  miles  dis 
tant,  where  you  will  certainly  fall  into  the  hands  of  your 
enemies,  who  are  on  the  sharp  lookout  for  all  such  chances, 
therefore  you  had  best  take  a  different  route." 

We  were  truly  alarmed,  for  day  now  broke  suddenly 
and  unexpectedly  upon  us,  from  a  hitherto  dark  and  cloudy 
sky.  We  knew  not  what  to  do,  as  there  was  no  forest 
large  enough  in  sight,  in  which  to  conceal  ourselves,  so 
we  besought  our  new  friend  to  direct  us,  which  he  did  by 
pointing  out  to  us  a  poor,  dismal  looking  old  frame  in  a 
small  wood,  occupied  by  a  free  colored  man. 

Thither  we  went,  and  were  kindly  received  by  the 
man's  family,  who  gave  us  food,  of  which  we  were  in 
great  need.  My  feet  and  ankles  were  so  much  swollen, 
that  we  found  it  necessary  to  remain  here  two  days, 
about  which  we  felt  many  misgivings-  since  the  man  was 
often  intoxicated,  when^  he  was  very  communicative,  and 
I  feared  he  might  unintentionally,  if  in  no  other  way,  be 
tray  us,  for  I  knew  no  dependence  could  be  placed  on  a 
drunken  man. 

Friday  night  we  started  again,  the  man  having  told  us 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  95 

what  route  to  take ;  and  that  when  we  reached  the  Sus- 
quehanna,  we  should  have  no  other  means  of  crossing 
but  to  steal  a  boat  for  that  purpose.  The  next  day  as 
we  lay  concealed  near  the  road,  under  the  bushes,  we 
could  hear  the  people  converse  as  they  passed. 

We  finally  concluded  not  to  go  on  this  way  any  farth 
er,  as  the  chance  of  stealing  a  boat  was  a  very  hazardous 
one,  but  to  return  to  the  place  from  whence  we  last  start 
ed,  and  see  if  we  could  not  obtain  some  better  instruc 
tions.  On  our  way  back,  we  passed  a  house  from  which 
a  man  hailed  us  with,  "  Hallo,  boys,  where  are  you  go 
ing  ?  stop  awhile."  I  said  we  were  going  home,  and  had 
no  time  to  stop.  This  was  about  midnight. 

As  we  heard  him  call  his  dogs,  we  left  the  road  and 
went  through  the  wheat  fields  to  the  woods,  where  we 
soon  heard  him  pass  at  full  speed,  with  his  dogs.  We 
hastened  to  our  friend's  house,  but  he  advised  us  not  to 
lose  a  moment  in  making  our  way  off,  as  they  would 
most  likely  come  to  search  his  house,  knowing  him  to  be 
a  free  man.  He  directed  us  by  another  route,  which  was 
a  very  dangerous  one,  being  watched  constantly  to  the 
borders  of  Pennsylvania ;  but  told  us  to  go  to  another 
free  colored  man,  six  miles  distant,  who  could  perhaps 
direct  us  better. 

He  cautioned  us  about  passing  a  house,  which  he  care 
fully  described  to  us,  in  which -lived  a  negro  buyer,  who 
watched  to  catch  runaways.  But,  notwithstanding  his 
caution,  we  unluckily  found  ourselves  almost  at  the  door 
of  his  house,  before  we  were  aware  of  it.  We  however 
passed  it  unperceived. 

Early  next  morning  we  arrived  at  the  house  to  which 


96  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

we  had  been  directed,  and  called  up  the  owner.  As  soon 
as  I  heard  him  speak,  I  knew  him  to  be  a  man  of  God, 
for  his  words  betrayed  him.  He  called  his  wife  to  come 
quickly  and  prepare  food,  for  two  wayworn  and  hungry 
travellers,  which  she  hastened  to  do.  Now,  who  told  this 
man  of  our  necessities  ?  for  we  had  not.  But  never  re 
fuse  to  entertain  strangers,  for  some  have  thus  entertain 
ed  angels  unawares. 

When  the  table  was  spread  ready  for  breakfast,  the 
old  man  approaching  the  throne  of  grace,  with  eyes 
uplifted  towards  heaven,  repeated  the  following  hymn, 
which  the  whole  family  joined  in  singing  : — 

"  And  are  we  yet  alive  ? 
See  we  each  other's  face  ? 
Glory  and  praise  to  Jesus  give, 
For  his  redeeming  grace. 
Preserved  by  power  divine, 
To  full  salvation  here  ; 
Again  in  Jesus'  praise  we  join, 
And  in  his  sight  appear. 
What  troubles  have  we  seen, 
What  conflicts  have  we  passed  ? 
Dangers  without  and  fears  within  ? 
Since  we  assembled  last. 
But  out  of  all  the  Lord 
Hath  brought  us  by  his  love  ; 
And  still  he  doth  his  help  afford, 
And  hides  our  lives  above." 

While  they  were  singing,  the  mighty  power  of  God 
filled  my  frame  like  electricity,  so  that  whereas  I  had 
before  been  hungry  and  weak,  I  now  felt  the  strength  of 
a  giant ;  I  could  no  longer  restrain  my  feelings. 

This  was  Sunday  morning,  and  the  family  started  soon 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  97 

after  breakfast  for  the  Methodist  church,  which  was  three 
miles  distant,  taking  my  friend  and  leaving  me  locked  up 
in  the  house,  for  my  limbs  were  so  swollen  that  it  was 
deemed  advisable  that  I  should  rest  during  the  day. 
Four  others  accompanied  them  on  their  return,  towards 
one  of  whom  my  heart  leaped  for  joy  as  soon  as  I  saw 
him,  for  I  felt  that  he  was  a  servant  of  the  Most  High. 
He  instantly  grasped  my  hand,  saying,  "  Have  you  faith 
in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  ?"  I  answered  in  the  affirma 
tive,  when  he  continued,  "  Well,  God  has  brought  you 
thus  far,  and  he  will  conduct  you  safely  to  the  land  of 
freedom." 

After  dinner  and  a  round  of  prayers,  we  started  on 
our  way,  these  friends  accompanying  us.  We  were  sup 
posed  to  be  some  of  their  neighbors,  whom,  having  been 
with  them  to  church,  they  were  accompanying  home 
ward.  They  continued  with  us  until  dark,  taking  us 
through  fields  and  by-paths.  When  they  left  us,  they 
said  we  were  within  two  nights'  travel  of  the  Pennsyl 
vania  line,  but  cautioned  us  against  one  dangerous  placer 
which  having  passed,  we  should  probably  have  little  more- 
to  fear. 

This  was  a  large  two  storied  white  house  standing  near 
the  road,  about  two  rods  from  which  stood  a  barn  thatch 
ed  with  rye  straw.  The  owner's  business  was  to  catch 
slaves,  for  which  purpose  he  kept  well  trained  dogs,  who 
having  once  got  on  our  track,  would  follow  for  miles,  and 
the  master  would  shoot  us  if  we  did  not  surrender,  there 
fore  we  should  be  careful  to  avoid  this  place,  in  particu 
lar. 

9 


98  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

Our  friends  left  us,  and  we  went  on,  but  before  "we 
knew  it  we  had  passed  the  barn,  and  were  near  the  house. 
As  soon  as  we  perceived  our  mistake,  we  took  to  the 
fields.  Everything  was  still  about  the  house,  until  I,  in 
attempting  to  get  over  a  fence,  broke  down,  when  I  made 
so  much  noise  as  to  rouse  the  dogs,  which  presently  began 
to  bark.  This  brought  out  the  master,  who  tried  to  urge 
them  on,  but,  strange  to  say,  though  they  ran  to  and  fro, 
they  could  not  strike  our  trail. 

We  did  not  venture  into  the  public  road  again  that 
night.  The  next  day  we  lay  by,  and  at  eight  o'clock  in 
the  evening  again  started,  hoping  to  reach  port  before 
morning. 

Our  friends  had  told  us,  that  when  we  reached  the  Bal 
timore  turnpike,  leading  into  Pennsylvania,  that  we  were 
then  over  the  line.  About  three  o'clock  in  the  morning 
we  came  to  a  shanty,  on  the  edge  of  a  wood,  so  small 
and  mean  that  I  thought  no  person  inhabiting  it  would 
have  the  courage  to  attempt  our  arrest.  My  friend  ob 
jected  to  going  to  the  house,  but  I  wanted  to  inquire  the 
way,  having  got  somewhat  bewildered.  So  I  went 
and  knocked  at  the  door,  until  a  surly  voice  called  out, 
"Who's  there?"  "A  friend,"  I  answered.  "What 
does  the  friend  want  ?"  he  inquired.  "  To  know  if  he  is 
on  the  direct  road  to  the  Baltimore  turnpike,  and  how 
far  it  is  there,"  I  said.  "  Yes,  go  on,  it  is  about  half  a 
mile,"  he  said,  in  a  voice  which  plainly  denoted  that  he 
did  not  wish  to  be  disturbed  by  night  rovers,  though  a 
price  of  three  hundred  dollars  was  on  the  head  of  the 
one  then  at  his  door. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  99 

We  pursued  our  course,  and  shortly  came  to  the  much 
desired  turnpike,  when  we  clasped  glad  hands,  and  went 
on  the  next  mile  or  two,  rejoicing  and  praising  God  for 
this  deliverance.  We  now  imagined  ourselves  out  of 
danger,  but  were  mistaken,  for  after  passing  York  we 
came  to  a  village  called  Berlin,  where  we  were  attacked 
by  a  Dutchman,  who  came  running  out  of  a  carpenter's 
shop  and  grasped  me  by  the  shoulder,  at  the  same  time 
muttering  over  some  lingo,  wholly  incomprehensible  to 
me. 

But  I  looked  at  him  so  furiously,  at  the  same  time 
thrusting  my  hand  into  my  pocket,  as  if  after  some 
weapon  of  defence,  that  he  became  so  frightened  as  to 
loose  his  grasp,  and  run  backwards  as  if  his  life  was  in 
danger.  I  followed  him  to  the  great  amusement  of  the 
by-standers,  who  were  looking  on  to  see  him  take  me. 

I  supposed  my  companion  was  close  by,  but  when  I 
turned  round  I  saw  him  about  six  rods  distant,  walking 
off  at  a  rapid  speed,  and  leaving  me  to  do  the  best  I  could 
alone.  This  cowardice  somewhat  enraged  me,  but  when 
I  overtook  him  he  so  excused  himself  that  I  forgave  him, 
knowing  that  his  spirit  was  willing,  but  his  flesh  was 
weak. 


100  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

CHAP.  XV. 

WE  at  last  reached  Columbia,  Pennsylvania,  where  we 
intended  to  stop  and  hire  out  to  work.  But  the  people 
advised  us  to  go  on  farther,  as  already  there  were  two 
slave  hunters  in  the  place  in  pursuit  of  two  fugitives, 
whom  they  had  traced  to  that  place.  Accordingly  we 
started  again  the  following  night,  and  after  travelling 
about  ten  miles,  reached  the  house  of  an  elderly  quaker, 
who  offered  us  a  home  with  him  until  he  could  get  places 
for  us.  These  he  soon  procured,  and  we  went  to  work ; 
and  oh,  how  sweet  the  reflection  that  I  was  working  for 
myself.  We  remained  here  about  six  months,  when  we 
were  again  routed  by  the  arrival  of  slave  hunters,  who 
had  already  taken  two  women  and  some  children,  and 
were  in  pursuit  of  other  fugitives.  In  consequence  of 
this,  many  of  the  colored  people  were  leaving  this  for 
safer  parts  of  the  country  ;  so  we  concluded  to  go  to 
Philadelphia. 

I  went  first,  and  my  friend  soon  followed.  We  had 
not  been  there  many  days,  before  he  was  met  and  recog 
nized  by  a  lady,  in  Chestnut  Street ;  but  he  feigned 
ignorance  of  her,  and  did  not  answer  when  she  addressed 
him.  He  came  directly  and  told  me  of  the  affair,  which 
at  first  gave  me  great  alarm,  but  as  we  heard  nothing 
more  from  her,  our  fears  gradually  subsided. 

My  friend  soon  married,  and  not  long  after  moved  to 
Massachusetts,  whither  he  was  driven  by  one  day  seeing 
his  old  master  in  one  of  the  streets  of  Philadelphia,  peer 
ing  into  the  face  of  every  colored  man  who  happened  to 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  101 

I  soon  got  into  bad  company,  and  forgot  the  goodness 
of  that  Being  who  had  shown  me  so  much  kindness,  who 
had  stuck  by  me  closer  than  a  brother,  through  all  my 
wanderings,  and  who  had  finally  brought  me  from  bond 
age  to  a  land  of  freedom.  I  often  now  reflect  upon  my 
ungratefulness  towards  him. 

One  night,  while  returning  from  my  day's  labor,  I  fell 
into  meditation  upon  the  past  blessings  of  God  to  me. 
When  I  reached  home  I  looked  in  the  Bible  to  find  some 
thing  applicable  to  my  case,  when  I,  almost  immediately, 
opened  at  Luke's  Gospel,  loth  chapter  and  18th  verse, 
"  I  will  arise  and  go  to  my  father.7' 

I  felt  a  heavy  load  resting  upon  my  heart ;  I  felt  as  if 
I  had  neglected  the  Saviour,  and  God  had  forever  with 
drawn  his  spirit  from  me.  I  knelt  in  prayer,  and  like 
Jacob,  wrestled  manfully.  I  continued  in  this  state  six 
weeks,  until  the  meeting  of  the  Methodist  Conference, 
which  took  place  in  the  Bethel  Church,  in  Philadelphia. 
When  it  commenced  I  was  sick,  and  had  been  confined  to 
my  bed  two  weeks.  I  heard  people  talk  of  the  great  re 
vival,  and  of  the  excellent  preaching  they  were  having, 
and  though  I  was  then  confined  to  my  bed  by  sickness, 
and  the  rain  was  falling  fast,  still  I  was  resolved  to  go  to 
church,  for  I  felt  that  my  soul  was  at  stake,  and  I  did 
go,  notwithstanding  friends  tried  to  prevail  on  me  to  re 
main  at  home. 

I  took  my  seat  in  a  dark  corner  of  the  church,  while 
the  congregation  were  singing  for  their  own  amusement. 
Presently  a  tall  man  entered,  went  into  the  pulpit,  and 

read  the  following  hymn  : 

09 


102  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

"  Hark,  my  soul!  it  is  the  Lord; 
It  is  the  Saviour,  hear  his  word ; 
Jesus  speaks,  he  speaks  to  thee, 
He  says,  poor  sinner,  love  thou  me. 

I  delivered  thee  when  bound, 
And  when  wounded  healed  thy  wound  ; 
Sought  thee  wandering,  set  thee  right, 
Turned  thy  darkness  into  light. 

Can  a  woman's  tender  ckre 
Cease  towards  the  child  she  bare? 
Yes,  she  may  forgetful  be, 
But  I  will  remember  thee." 

He  lined  the  hymn  so  that  all  could  sing,  during  which 
he  often  called  the  attention  of  the  congregation  to  the 
sentiment,  to  all  which  I  paid  great  attention,  for  my 
mind  was  forcibly  carried  back  to  the  state  of  bondage 
from  which  I  had  just  escaped,  and  the  many  manifesta 
tions  of  God's  mercies  to  me  throughout  the  journey. 
The  hymn  was  not  sung  by  wood  or  brass,  but  by  mortal 
tongues,  which  were  more  charming  in  their  harmony 
than  ten  thousand  stringed  instruments.  This  hymn  was 
so  precisely  suited  to  my  case  that  I  began  to  feel  much 
better. 

The  preacher,  Rev.  Josiah  Gilbert,  of  Baltimore,  then 
arose,  taking  for  his  text,  "  0,  praise  the  Lord,  for  He  is 
good,  and  His  mercies  endure  forever."  Never  before 
nor  since  have  I  heard  such  a  sermon.  The  load  was  re 
moved  from  my  heart,  and  I  found  myself  standing  up 
in  the  church,  praising  God,  for  it  seemed  to  me  a  heaven 
upon  earth  to  my  soul. 

I  felt  nothing  more  of  my  sickness,  and  next  day  went 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  103 

to  my  work,  tending  for  brick-layers.  The  following 
night,  at  the  meeting  the  question  was  put  if  any  person 
wished  to  join  the  church.  No  person  went  about  among 
the  crowd  to  drag  others  to  the  altar,  or  to  force  them  to 
say  they  had  religion,  when  they  had  none ;  yet  one  hun 
dred  and  twenty,  like  noble  volunteers,  forced  their  way 
to  the  altar,  and  gave  in  their  names,  shouting  the  prais 
es  of  Immanuel's  God,  while  the  preacher  was  recording 
them. 

I  joined  the  church  that  same  night.  0,  memorable 
night !  Would  that  I  could  bring  thee  back,  that  I  might 
live  thee  over  again  !  But  thou  art  gone,  and  I  can  on 
ly  live  over  thy  blessings  in  memory.  But  they  will  not 
so  flee. 

I  married  the  same  year,  and  for  a  time  everything 
seemed  to  go  on  well.  God  gave  me  a  companion  who 
loved  Him,  and  we  soon  had  a  family  altar  in  our  lowly 
habitation.  Sickness  and  sorrow  however  came.  Sever 
al  slavey  near  by  were  arrested  and  taken  to  the  South, 
so  I  finally  concluded  best  for  me  to  go  to  sea,  and  ac 
cordingly  removed  to  New  York  city  for  that  purpose. 


MANY  of  my  friends  have  expressed  a  curiosity  to 
learn  how  I,  being  a  slave,  obtained  an  education ;  to  grat 
ify  which  I  will  now  relate  some  incidents  in  my  past 
life,  which  I  have  not  done  in  the  foregoing  pages. 

When  about  eight  years  of  age,  I  was  sent  to  the 
school  house  with  the  white  children,  to  carry  their  din- 


104  LIFE  OF  JOHN  THOMPSON. 

ners,  it  being  a  distance  of  two  miles,  and  therefore  too 
far  for  them  to  go  home  for  them.  There  were  two  of 
these  children  relatives  of  my  master,  whose  father  had 
once  been  rich,  but  who,  through  misfortune,  left  his  chil 
dren  almost  penniless  at  his  decease. 

Little  Henry,  one  of  the  children,  was  one  morning, 
while  walking  leisurely  to  school,  repeating  over  his  les 
son,  when  I  said  to  him,  "  How  I  would  like  to  read  like 
you.17  "  Would  you  ?"  said  he,  "  Then  I  will  learn  you." 
I  told  him,  if  his  Uncle  knew  it,  he  would  forbid  it. 

"  I  know  it,"  he  answered,  "  But  I  will  not  tell  him  ; 
for  he  would  then  stop  you  from  going  with  me,  and  I 
would  have  to  carry  my  own  dinners  !"  Thereupon  we 
made  a  mutual  promise  to  reveal  our  secret  to  no  person. 

Henry  was  about  my  own  age,  being  the  elder  of  the 
two  children  ;  his  sister,  Jane,  being  about  five  years  old. 
He  commenced  teaching  me  from  his  book  my  letters. 
We  sometimes  started  an  hour  or  two  before  school  time, 
that  we  might  have  more  leisure  for  our  undertaking. 
We  had  a  piece  of  woods  to  pass  on  our  way,  which  also 
facilitated  the  practical  operation  of  our  plans,  as  we 
could,  by  going  into  them,  escape  the  observation  of  the 
other  school  children,  or  of  passers  by  in  the  road.  We 
even  sometimes  took  Jane  to  the  school  house,  leaving 
her  to  play  with  the  other  children,  while  we  returned  to 
our  school  in  the  woods,  until  the  school  bell  rang. 

I  made  such  rapid  progress  that  Henry  was  encourag 
ed  and  delighted.  When  my  father  knew  of  the  matter, 
he  gave  Henry  some  money  with  which  to  purchase  me  a 
book,  which  he  did  of  one  of  the  scholars,  who,  being  ad- 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  105 

vanced  into  a  higher  lesson,  had  no  longer  use  for  this 
book. 

I  now  lost  no  time,  but  studied  my  lessons  every  leis 
ure  moment,  at  all  convenient  times.  I  went  thus  with 
the  children  to  school  about  three  years,  when  I  became 
the  body  servant  of  John  Wagar,  and  had  to  give  my  at 
tention  to  him  and  his  horse. 

John  being  six  miles  from  home,  at  a  boarding  school, 
was  only  at  home  from  Saturdays  until  Mondays.  Dur 
ing  his  absence  I  had  to  attend  to  his  pony,  and  do  small 
jobs  about  the  house,  which  did  not  prevent  my  continu 
ing  my  studies,  although  my  opportunities  to  do  so  were 
not  now  as  good  as  formerly ;  still,  my  little  teacher  im 
proved  every  chance  that  offered  of  giving  his  instruc 
tions. 

I  soon  got  through  my  first  book,  Webster's  Spelling 
Book,  after  which  Henry  bought  me  the  Introduction  to 
the  English  Reader.  He  also  commenced  setting  me  cop 
ies,  as  he  thought  it  time  I  was  commencing  to  write, 
though  he  still  kept  me  at  reading  until  I  had  nearly 
completed  my  second  book,  when  our  school  was  broken 
up  by  the  return  of  John  Wagar  from  the  bo'arding 
school,  he  having  completed  his  education. 

John,  whose  father  was  very  rich,  hardly  treated  Hen 
ry,  a  poor  orphan  boy,  with  common  courtesy  or  decency, 
and  was  unwilling  even  to  sit  and  eat  with  him  at  table. 
Mrs.  Ashton,  Henry's  mother,  noticed  this  conduct  of 
John's,  and  also  that  his  father  sided  with  him  in  all  his 
complaints  against  Henry,  and  knowing  the  cause  she 
did  not  wish  longer  to  remain  where  she  was ;  so  she, 


106  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

with  the  children,  removed  to  Alexandria,  where  Henry 
is  now  doing  a  large  dry  goods  business,  in  which,  by 
honesty  and  skill,  he  has  accumulated  considerable 
wealth. 

When  Henry  was  about  to  leave  the  plantation,  he 
said  to  me,  "  I  am  sorry,  John,  that  I  cannot  teach  you 
longer,  as  I  had  intended  to  learn  you  through  the  Eng 
lish  Reader,  and  also  to  write  a  good  hand.  But  you 
must  not  forget  what  you  have  learned,  and  try  to  im 
prove  what  you  can  by  yourself." 

This  parting,  filled  my  heart  with  sorrow,  for  I  loved 
Henry  Ashton  like  a  brother.  I  followed  him  with  my 
eyes  until  distance  closed  the  view  ;  and  my  aflectionate 
prayers  and  good  wishes  always  have,  and  always  will, 
follow  him,  for  to  him  I  owe  the  rudiments  of  one  of  my 
greatest  blessings,  my  education.  Through  this  I  have 
been  enabled  to  read  the  Word  of  God,  and  thereby  learn 
the  way  of  salvation ;  and  though  I  could  never  repay 
these  services,  yet  God  has  doubly  paid  him,  for  before  I 
left  Maryland  his  name  ranked  among  the  most  respect 
able  and  wealthy  of  country  merchants. 

After  this  I  continued  to  read  and  write  at  every  oppor 
tunity,  often  carrying  my  book  in  my  hat,  that  I  might 
lose  no  chance  of  using  it.  When  I  was  with  Richard 
Thomas,  in  the  south  part  of  the  State,  I  became  ac 
quainted  with  a  poor  Englishman,  who  lived  near  the 
plantation.  He,  seeing  my  strong  desire  to  learn,  propos 
ed  to  instruct  me,  after  exacting  from  me  a  promise  of 
secrecy  in  the  matter.  He  continued  to  teach  me  from 
the  first  of  March  until  the  October  following,  when  he 
and  his  daughter,  (his  whole  family,)  died. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  107 

After  that  I  had  no  teacher  until  I  went  to  Philadel 
phia,  where  I  attended  evening  schools  during  the  win 
ters  of  my  stay  in  that  city. 


CHAP.  XVI. 

VOYAGE  TO   THE    INDIAN   OCEAN. 

WHEN  I  reached  New  York,  in  consequence  of  my  in 
experience  I  could  get  no  berth  on  shipboard,  as  they 
only  wanted  to  employ  able  seamen,  so  I  was  advised  to 
go  to  New  ^Bedford,  where  green  hands  were  more  want 
ed,  and  where,  I  was  told,  I  could  go  free  of  expense. 

Accordingly,  next  morning,  in  care  of  an  agent,  I 
started  on  board  a  vessel  bound  for  that  port.  When  I 
arrived  there,  I  was  told  I  could  only  go  before  the  mast 
as  a  raw  hand,  as  a  great  responsibility  rested  upon  the 
cook,  or  steward,  of  a  whaling  vessel,  bound  upon  a  long 
voyage,  one  of  which  places  I  preferred  and  solicited. 

I  soon  saw  there  was  no  chance  for  me  with  that  mas 
ter,  so  I  went  to  the  office  of  Mr.  Gideon  Allen,  who  was 
fitting  out  a  ship  for  sea,  and  wanted  both  cook  and  stew 
ard.  I  approached  him  with  much  boldness,  and  asked 
if  he  would  like  to  employ  a  good  steward,  to  which  he 
replied  in  the  affirmative,  asking  me  at  the  same  time  if 
I  was  one. 

I  told  him  I  thought  I  was.     So,  without  much  parley- 


108  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

ing  we  agreed  upon  the  price,  when  he  took  me  down  to 
the  vessel,  gave  to  my  charge  the  keys  of  the  cabin,  and 
I  went  to  work  as  well  as  I  knew  how. 

The  following  day  the  Captain,  Mr.  Aaron  C.  Luce, 
come  on  board  with  Mr.  Allen,  who  introduced  me  to 
him  as  the  captain  of  the  ship,  with  whom  I  was  going 
to  sea.  The  captain  looked  at  me  very  suspiciously,  as 
much  as  to  say,  }ou  know  nothing  of  the  duties  of  the 
office  you  now  fill. 

At  the  house  where  I  boarded  was  a  cook,  who,  in  con 
sequence  of  deformed  feet,  could  not  obtain  a  berth,  as 
the  captains  and  ship  owners  thought  he  would  thereby 
be  disenabled  for  going  aloft  when  necessity  required  it. 
This  man  told  me  that  if  I  would  get  him  a  place  as 
cook,  he  could  and  would  give  me  all  needful  instruction 
in  reference  to  my  office. 

I  was  pleased  with  an  offer  which  promised  so  well  for 
me,  and  accordingly  recommended  him  to  Mr.  Allen  for 
cook,  who,  supposing  I  knew  the  man,  and  that  all  was 
right,  hired  him. 

The  Milwood,  on  which  we  were  to  sail,  was  a  splen 
did  vessel,  called  a  three  boat  ship.  She  was  arranged 
to  carry  3500  bbls.  of  oil,  with  a  crew  numbering  twen 
ty-five  hands,  with  four  principal  officers,  captain  and 
three  mates,  and  three  boatswains,  who  are  termed  sub 
ordinate  officers.  All  things  being  in  readiness,  the  hands 
were  summoned  on  board,  when,  at  the  pilot's  command, 
she  was  loosed  from  her  moorings  at  the  dock,  floated  out 
of  the  harbor,  and  with  well  filled  sails,  stood  out  to  sea. 

The  thoughts  of  the  voyage  and  of  the  responsibilities 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  109 

which  I  had  taken  upon  myself,  were  anything  but  pleas 
ant.  I  knew  that  I  was 'wholly  ignorant  of  a  steward's 
duties,  and  consequently  expected  to  incur  the  captain's 
just  displeasure  for  my  assurance  and  imposition,  since  at 
sea  every  man  is  expected  to  know  his  own  duty,  and  fill 
his  own  station,  without  begging  aid  from  others.  But 
again  I  reflected  that  God  was  all  sufficient,  at  sea  as 
well  as  upon  the  land,  so  I  put  my  trust  in  him,  fully 
confident  that  he  would  bring  me  out  more  than  victori 
ous. 

As  I  bid  my  family  farewell,  and  left  the  American 
shore,  I  thought  over  the  following  lines  : 

Jesus,  at  thy  command, 

I  launch  into  the  deep  ; 
And  leave  my  native  land, 

Where  sin  lulls  all  to  sleep. 
For  thee  I  would  this  world  resign, 
And  sail  to  Heaven  with  thee  and  thine. 

Thou  art  my  pilot,  wise ; 

My  compass  is  thy  word ; 
My  soul  each  storm  defies, 

Whilst  I  have  such  a  Lord. 
I  trust  his  faithfulness  and  power, 
To  save  me  in  a  trying  hour. 

Though  rocks  and  quicksands  deep, 

Through  all  my  passage  lie ;. 
Yet  Christ  will  safely  keep, 

And  guide  me  with  his  eye. 
My  anchor,  hope,  shall  firm  abide,. 
And  everlasting  storms  outride. 

Soon  after  the  pilot  left  us  I  became  very  sea  sick, 
and  unable  to  attend  to  my  duties,  which,  consequently, 
all  devolved  upon  the  cook,  he  having  promised  to  assist 

10 


110  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

me.  But  of  this  he  soon  grew  tired,  and  complained  to 
the  captain,  hoping  to  get  my  place ;  so  he  told  him  I 
was  a  greenhorn,  had  never  been  to  sea  before,  and  knew 
nothing  of  a  steward's  office. 

The  captain,  who  had  been  deceived  by  my  sickness, 
now  came  into  the  cabin  very  angry,  and  said  to  me, 
"  What  is  the  matter  with  you  ?"  I  told  him  I  was 
sick. 

"  Have  you  ever  been  •  at  sea  before  ?"  he  asked.  I 
told  him  I  never  had,  upon  which  he  asked  how  I  came 
to  ship  as  steward  ?  I  answered,  "  I  am  a  fugitive  slave 
from  Maryland,  and  have  a  family  in  Philadelphia  ;  but 
fearing  to  remain  there  any  longer,  I  thought  I  would  go 
a  whaling  voyage,  as  being  the  place  where  I  stood  least 
chance  of  being  arrested  by  slave  hunters.  I  had  be 
come  somewhat  experienced  in  cooking  by  working  in 
hotels,  inasmuch  that  I  thought  I  could  fill  the  place  of 
steward." 

This  narrative  seemed  to  touch  his  heart,  for  his  coun 
tenance  at  once  assumed  a  pleasing  expression.  Thus 
God  stood  between  me  and  him,  and  worked  in  my  de 
fence. 

He  told  me  that  had  circumstances  been  different,  he 
should  have  flogged  me  for  my  imposition  ;  but  now  bade 
me  go  on  deck,  where  I  could  inhale  the  fresh  air,  and  I 
should  soon  be  well.  I  did  so  and  soon  recovered. 

The  captain  became  as  kind  as  a  father  to  me,  often 
going  with  me  to  the  cabin,  and  when  no  one  was  pres 
ent,  teaching  me  to  make  pastries  and  sea  messes.  He 
had  a  cook  book,  from  which  I  gained  much  valuable  in 
formation. 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  Ill 

I  was  soon  able  to  fulfill  my  duty  to  the  gratification 
and  satisfaction  of  the  captain,  though  much  to  the  sur 
prise  of  the  whole  crew,  who,  knowing  I  was  a  raw  hand, 
wondered  how  I  had  so  soon  learned  my  business.  But 
I  could  never  suit  the  mate,  do  the  best  I  could, 
for  he  wanted  me  put  before  the  mast,  and  for  more  than 
four  months  kept  a  grudge  against  me.  The  cook  also, 
disappointed  in  not  getting  my  place,  often  complained 
of  me  to  my  enemy,  the  mate.  And  not  satisfied  with 
this,  he  had  the  baseness  to  forbid  my  going  to  the  gal 
ley  to  look  after  my  cooking,  and  it  was  often  spoiled. 
But  I  bore  all  with  patience,  as  I  knew  that  I  had  two 
good  friends,  in  the  captain  and  God.  This  trouble  was, 
however,  soon  removed,  for  the  cook  was  taken  sick  be 
fore  we  reached  Eayal,  where  he  was  left  in  charge  of  the 
American  Consul,  to  be  sent  home. 

When  we  had  been  about  three  weeks  out,  we  captured 
a  sperm  whale,  which  furnished  eighty-five  bbls.  of  oil, 
which  we  sent  home  from  Fayal,  where  we  remained  just 
long  enough  to  discharge  the  oil,  and  take  on  board  a 
fresh  supply  of  water  and  vege fables,  which  required 
about  three  days. 

Shortly  after  leaving  this  place,  while  the  captain  was 
aloft  one  day,  the  mate  became  so  much  exasperated  with 
me  as  to  beat  me.  He  took  hold  of  me,  whereupon  I 
threw  him  down,  but  did  not  strike  him.  Upon  entering 
the  cabin,  the  captain  found  me  in  tears,  and  inquired 
the  cause.  I  told  him  that,,  do  the  best  I  could,  I  was 
unable  to  please  the  mate,  who  had  been  beating  me  now, 
for  no  cause  of  which  I  was  conscious.  He  told  me  to 


112  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

do  my  duty  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  and  he  would  take 
care  of  the  rest. 

He  then  went  upon  deck,  and  inquired  of  the  mate  of 
what  I  was  guilty  deserving  a  flogging  ;  who  replied  that 
I  was  unfit  to  be  in  the  cabin,  and  ought  to  be  before  the 
mast  ;•  that  I  was  too  much  of  a  gentleman  to  be  at  sea. 
Whereupon  the  captain  told  him  not  to  lay  a  finger  upon 
me  again,  for  I  was  his  steward,  and  the  mate  had  no 
control  over  me,  which  he  wished  him,  the  mate,  to  plain 
ly  understand.  The  captain  allowed  I  was  green  enough, 
but  said  that  I  was  willing  to  do  the  best  I  knew  ;  that 
when  the  mate  first  went  to  sea,  he  was  as  green  as  I 
was,  and  that  every  man  must  have  a  chance  to  learn  be 
fore  he  could  do  his  duty. 

The  mate  accused  the  captain  of  partiality  to  me,  up 
on  which  the  captain  gave  him  to  understand  that  he 
was  master  of  the  vessel,  and  should  treat  each  man  as 
he  deserved,  from  the  mate  to  the  cook.  After  this  I 
soon  fell  in  favor  with  the  mate  and  all  the  crew.  The 
mate  was  a  resolute  man,  and  a  good  whaleman.  Being 
steward  I  was  not  obliged  to  go  in  the  boats  for  whales 
unless  I  chose,  or  unless  some  one  of  the  hands  was  un 
able  to  go,  whose  place  I  was  to  fill,  of  necessity. 

The  manner  of  arranging  the  boats  in  a  ship  of  this 
character,  is  as  follows :  Three  boats,  ready  fitted,  are 
kept  swinging  in  the  cranes  alongside  the  ship ;  these 
are  called  the  starboard,  larboard  and  waist  boats.  Each 
is  manned  by  six  men,  including  the  officer,  and  each  has 
its  regular  crew.  The  captain  commands  the  starboard, 
the  first  mate  the  larboard,  and  the  second  mate  the 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  113 

waist  boat.  The  third  mate  commands  the  captain's 
boat,  when  the  latter  does  not  go. 

Each  boat  carries  five  oars,  the  officer  steering,  while 
the  harpooner,  who  is  termed  the  boatswain,  rows  the 
bow  oar,  until  the  whale  is  fastened  with  the  harpoon, 
which  operation  is  performed  by  this  person.  This  being 
done,  the  boatsteerer  goes  aft  and  takes  the  officer's  place, 
while  that  person  goes  forward  to  kill  the  whale  ;  which 
is  done  with  a  sharp  spear,  about  six  feet  long,  called  a 
lance. 

The  harpoon  is  sharp,  and  barbed  at  one  end,  so  that 
when  it  has  once  entered  the  animal,  it  is  difficult  to  draw 
it  out  again,  and  has  attached  to  its  other  end  a  pole, 
two  inches  thick  and  five  feet  long.  Attached  to  this  is 
a  line  75  or  100  fathoms  in  length,  which  is  coiled  into 
the  bow  of  the  boat.  Sometimes  these  lines  have  two 
harpoons  attached,  so  that  if  one  misses  the  whale,  an 
other  can  be  ready  to  take  effect,  before  the  creature  is 
beyond  their  reach.  The  lance  is  fixed  to  a  line  in  a 
similar  manner,  by  which  it  may  be  drawn  out  of  the 
animal,  as  it  is  repeatedly  thrust  into  him,  until  he  is 
killed  by  bleeding  to  death ;  a  process  sometimes  requir 
ing  two  or  three  hours  for  its  completion. 

The  boats  remain  beside  the  dead  animal  until  the 
ships  come  to  them,  for  they  are  generally  unable  to  tow 
him  to  the  ship,  in  consequence  of  his  great  weight. 
When  brought  alongside  the  vessel,  a  chain,  called  the 
fluke  chain,  is  fastened  around  his  tail,  which  is  towards 
the  bow  of  the  vessel,  by  which  means  he  is  made  secure 
to  it.  From  his  carcass  are  then  cut  large  junks  of  oily 

10* 


114  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

substance,  called  blubber,  which  is  from  twelve  to  eigh 
teen  inches  in  thickness,  and  is  the  only  fleshy  part  of 
any  value.  These  junks  are  hoisted  upon  deck,  and 
placed  in  cauldron  kettles,  that  the  oil  may  be  tried  and 
pressed  from  them  ;  after  which,  the  refuse  is  thrown 
upon  the  fire  and  used  for  fuel. 

There  are  five  different  kinds  of  whale  :  the  sperm, 
the  right,  the  humpback,  the  finback,  and  the  sulphur 
bottom,  of  which  but  three  are  much  caught,  the  sperm, 
the  right  and  the  humpback.  The  first  is  found  in  warm 
climates,  the  last  in  temperate,  but  the  right  in  cold. 
Two  men  are  generally  placed  aloft  as  "  lookouts,"  while 
the  ship  is  cruising  for  whales,  which  may  often  bo  seen 
at  a  distance  of  two  miles,  usually  by  their  spouting, 
which  is  sometimes  repeated  as  often  as  every  half  min 
ute.  The  whale  can  neither  stay  long  above  nor  below 
the  water,  without  changing. 

When  the  whale  is  discovered,  the  signal  is  given  to 
the  captain,  or  the  officer  upon  the  deck  watch,  in  the 
following  manner :  The  man  aloft  says,  "  There  she 
blows."  The  officer  inquires  "  "Where  away  ?"  "  Two 
points  of  the  weather  beam,  sir/7  is  the  reply,  or  what 
ever  direction  the  animal  may  be.  This  signal  is  repeat 
ed  every  time  the  whale  spouts,  until  the  officer  goes 
ftloft,  to  determine  of  what  kind  the  animal  is. 

Part  of  the  crew  are  always  on  the  watch,  while  the 
others  are  asleep  below.  Orders  are  now  given  to  call  all 
hands  on  deck,  which  being  done,  each  boat's  crew  sta 
tions  itself  by  its  boat,  until  orders  are  given  for  lower 
ing  them  away.  When  within  reach  of  the  whale,  the 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  115 

officer  in  command  gives  orders  for  the  harpooner  to 
throw  his  instrument,  which  he  does  until  the  animal  is 
fastened.  The  whale  can  only  be  killed  by  lancing  him 
under  the  fin,  which  is  the  work  of  much  skill  and  prac 
tice. 

The  whale  is  a  monster,  terrible  in  his  fury,  but  harm 
less  when  left  alone  ;  able  to  shiver  the  boat  in  atoms  by 
one  stroke  of  his  tail,  and  when  in  agony  roaring  like  a 
lion  in  the  forest.  Hence  the  officer  in  the  boat  should 
have  as  much  skill  in  the  art  of  whaling,  as  a  military 
commander  in  the  art  of  warfare,  since  the  safety  of  the 
crew  rests  with  him. 


CHAP.  XVII. 

AFTER  leaving  Fayal,  we  sailed  for  St.  Paul's  Island, 
stopping  a  short  time  at  the  Cape  de  Verdes,  where  right 
whales  were  said  to  be  numerous.  We  had  pleasant 
weather  for  about  three  weeks. 

One  day,  while  standing  upon  the  deck,  looking  upon 
the  broad  expanse  of  waters  spread  out  around  me,  and 
meditating  upon  the  works  of  the  Omnipotent  and  Om 
niscient  Deity,  my  soul  was  suddenly  so  filled  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  I  exclaimed  aloud,  "  Glory  to  God  and 
the  Lamb  forever !;;  I  continued  in  this  strain  until 
captain  Luce,  coming  unexpectedly  behind  me,  asked 
what  was  the  matter  with  me  ?  I  told  him  my  soul  had 
caught  new  fire  from  the  burning  altar  of  God,  until  I 
felt  happy,  soul  and  body. 


116  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

Directly  he  commenced  cracking  jokes  at  me,  but  I 
soon  left  his  presence  and  returned  to  the  cabin,  where  I 
could  be,  for  a  while,  alone,  and  where  I  could  obtain 
spiritual  strength  to  enable  me  to  stand  before  wicked 
men.  There  is  no  better  time  to  pray,  than  when  God 
is  ready  to  answer  ;  when  he  stands  knocking  at  the  door 
of  our  hearts,  pleading  for  entrance.  He  works  upon 
our  right  hand  and  our  left,  and  we  perceive  him  not. 

The  captain,  being  in  a  very  pleasant  mood,  one  day, 
came  into  the  cabin,  and  asked  me  if  I  ever  prayed  for 
him  ?  to  which  I  replied  I  did.  "Do  you  think  that 
your  prayer  is  answered  ?"  he  asked,  "  for  I  don't.  I  don't 
think  they  ascend  higher  than  the  foreyard."  I  told  him 
that  bread  cast  upon  the  waters,  was  sometimes  found 
and  gathered  after  many  days.  He  laughingly  asked  me 
if  I  prayed  that  the  ship  might  get  a  load  of  oil?  I 
told  him  I  always  prayed  for  the  blessing  of  God  on  the 
ship  in  general.  He  said  if  he  had  to  go  home  without  a 
load  of  oil,  which  he  expected  to  do,  that  he  should  call 
me  a  hypocrite. 

While  he  was  talking,  the  man  on  the  lookout  cried 
out,  "  There  she  blows,"  upon  which  he  ran  upon  deck, 
and  found  there  were  four  whales  in  sight,  not  more  than 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  distant.  The  mate,  who  was  be 
low,  springing  from  his  bed,  said,  "  Steward,  will  you  go 
in  my  boat  ?"  I  replied  I  would.  "  Then/'  said  he, 
"  Stand  by  the  boat." 

The  boats  being  lowered,  we  started  for  the  whales. 
The  mate  rushed  among  them,  and  fastened  one ;  the 
captain  soon  followed,  and  fastened  another ;  and  at  last, 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  117 

the  second  mate  to  another !  They  all  furnished  239 
bbls.  of  oil.  This  was  a  day  of  rejoicing  for  all  hands, 
as  we  had  not  seen  a  whale  before  for  more  than  five 
weeks.  The  mate,  who  had  before  been  my  enemy,  now 
became  my  friend,  and  during  the  remainder  of  the  voy 
age  treated  me  like  a  man. 

On  our  way  to  the  Dutch  Banks,  whither  the  captain 
concluded  to  go,  because  of  the  abundance  of  whales 
there,  we  caught  two,  and  fastened  upon  a  third,  which, 
however,  got  loose.  When  we  arrived  at  the  Banks,  we 
found  plenty  of  whales,  and  many  vessels  there  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  them ;  but  which,  in  consequence  of 
stormy  weather,  had  hitherto  been  unsuccessful,  and  for 
the  same  reason  we  only  took  three. 

For  about  three  weeks  the  storm  raged  most  furiously, 
the  wind  became  a  hurricane,  the  waves  rolled  and  dash 
ed  mountain  high,  sweeping  our  boats  from  their  hang 
ings,  and  dashing  them  in  pieces ;  while  the  sun  was  hid 
by  dark  and  portentuous  clouds. 

All  hands  looked  upon  the  captain  as  their  deliverer, 
while  he  stood  looking  at  the  clouds,  seemingly  with  dep 
recating  vengeance.  But  it  was  the  work  of  our  God, 
whom  the  winds  obey,  and  to  whom  the  sea  does  homage. 
Well  might  the  Scripture  say,  "  He  has  his  ways  in  the 
whirlwinds,  and  his  paths  are  known  to  the  mighty 
deep."  He  looks,  and  the  fearfully  threatening  clouds 
hide  their  deformed  faces  ;  He  speaks,  and  the  winds 
hushed  in  profound  silence  ;  He  commands,  and  the  lofty 
billows  lowly  bow  their  heads. 

The  storm  being  over,  we  sailed  for  St.  Pauls,  where 


118  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

we  took  several  whales  ;  but  had  two  of  our  boats  stove 
to  pieces,  in  encounters  with  them.  The  Captain  and 
first  mate's  boats  were  frequently  injured  in  this  way  ; 
but  the  second  mate  generally  kept  in  the  background 
until  the  danger  and  bustle  were  passed.  Here  I  again 
had  time  to  reflect  upon  past  blessings  ;  while  calmness 
prevails,  the  mariner  should  prepare  for  a  storm ;  for  the 
storm,  which  gathers  slowly,  accumulates  more  fury  than 
a  sudden,  transient  blast. 


"  Whene'er  becalmed  I  lie, 

And  storms  forbear  to  toss ; 
Be  thou,  dear  Lord,  still  nigh, 

Lest  I  should  suffer  loss: 
For  more  the  treacherous  calm  I  dread, 
Than  tempest,  bursting  overhead." 

Captain  Luce  was  a  good  seaman  and  captain,  and  a 
man  of  reliable  judgment.  He  would  allow  no  swearing 
on  board  his  vessel ;  he  looked  upon  the  sailors  as  his 
children,  and  they  in  turn  regarded  him  with  affectionate 
esteem.  The  mate  was  a  man  of  quick  passions,  easily 
excited,  but  as  easily  calmed. 

He  one  night  entered  the  cabin,  where  I  was,  while  I 
was  singing  one  of  the  songs  of  Zion,  and  being  in  a  mel 
ancholy  mood,  he  asked  me  to  sing  for  him  ;  with  which 
request  I  gladly  complied,  by  commencing  a  new  song, 
which  I  had  recently  learned  in  Philadelphia.  He  instantly 
stopped  me,  saying  he  did  not  wish  to  hear  any  new 
hymn,  but  some  old  and  substantial  one ;  upon  which  I 
sang  the  following : 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  119 

"  Before  Jehovah's  awful  throne, 

Ye  nations  bow  with  sacred  awe ; 
Know  that  the  Lord  is  God  alone: 
He  can  create  and  he  destroy. 

His  sovereign  power,  without  our  aid, 
Made  us  of  clay,  and  formed  us  men  'f 

And  when,  like  wandering  sheep,  we  strayed, 
He  brought  us  to  his  fold  again. 

Wide  as  the  world  is  his  command, 

Vast  as  eternity  his  love ; 
Firm  as  a  rock  his  truth  shall  stand, 
When  rolling  years  shall  cease  to  move.'; 

While  I  was  singing,  tears  came  into  his  eyes,  and 
when  I  ceased,  he  exclaimed,  "  Oh !  steward,  had  I  the 
religion  which  I  think  you  have,  I  would  not  part  with  it 
for  all  the  world  !  "  This  was  a  very  unexpected  com 
pliment  to  me,  from  a  man  in  so  high  a  station,  and  en 
couraged  me  to  pray  on  and  hope  continually. 

After  the  whaling  season  at  St.  Pauls  was  ended,  we 
went  to  the  Crowsett  Island,  where  it  was  very  cold,  and 
where  the  fogs  continued  a  long  time,  without  intermis 
sion.  We. had  good  success  in  whaling  there,  but  the 
weather  was  so  unfavorable,  that  the  hands  soon  became 
disabled  by  scurvey,  to  that  degree  that  we  were  obliged 
to  put  into  port  sooner  than  the  captain  had  intended. 
So  we  sailed  towards  Madagascar,  where  one  remarkable 
circumstance  occurred. 

We  had  a  sailor  on  board  named  Smith,  who  told  me 
the  reason  for  his  coming  on  this  voyage,  was,  that  be 
ing  in  company  with  some  firemen,  in  Brooklyn,  who  had 
committed  a  crime  in  which  he  was  implicated,  he  had 


120  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

adopted  this  as  the  best  means  of  eluding  the  vigilance 
of  the  officers,  who  were  in  pursuit  of  him,  and  who  had 
taken  some  of  the  company. 

I  told  him  that  he  could  not  so  easily  escape  from  God, 
that  the  remembrance  of  his  crime  would  still  pursue 
him,  and  that  unless  he  repented,  he  must  expect  severe 
punishment,  both  here  and  hereafter :  to  all  which  he 
only  replied  by  laughing  in  my  face. 

Soon  after  this  conversation  a  whale  was  seen,  and 
Smith  belonged  to  one  of  the  boats  sent  in  pursuit. 
The  animal  was  harpooned,  but  stove  the  boat,  and  broke 
loose.  In  the  encounter,  Smith  came  near  losing  his  life. 
When  they  returned,  I  thought  it  a  good  time  to  again 
refresh  his  memory,  in  reference  to  his  crime.  While  the 
fright  lasted,  he  seemed  somewhat  penitent,  but  the  feel 
ing  soon  passed  away,  like  the  fleeting  time. 

Not  long  after,  a  similar  circumstance  happened  to  him, 
which  was  as  soon  forgotten.  But  a  repetition  of  them, 
made  him  afraid  to  go  in  the  boat,  so  he  excused  himself 
to  the  captain,  upon  the  plea  that  he  had  cut  his  finger 
and  could  not  row  ;  whereupon  the  mate,  to  whose  boat 
he  belonged,  gladly  took  me  in  his  place ;  when  we,  in  a 
short  time,  captured  four  whales,  with  no  accident. 

Just  before  we  left  this  Island,  another  whale  was  seen, 
when  the  captain  ordered  Smith  to  go  in  his  usual  place, 
notwithstanding  he  attempted,  as  usual,  to  excuse  himself, 
upon  the  ground  of  his  inability  to  row :  to  all  which  the 
captain  turned  a  deaf  ear.  They  soon  came  up  with  the 
whale  and  harpooned  him,  when  he  stove  the  boat  all  in 
pieces,  throwing  the  crew  all  into  the  sea,  where  they 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  121 

were  struggling  for  their  lives,  by  clinging  to  pieces  of 
wreck  or  whatever  else  they  could  reach.  The  other 
boats  at  the  time,  were  at  a  great  distance  from  jjiis 
scene,  one  of  them  being  already  fastened  to  another 
whale. 

Smith  strove  manfully  to  keep  himself  above  water, 
until  finding  his  strength  failing,  he  made  for  a  piece  of 
the  wreck,  on  which  were  already  three  persons,  but 
which  could  not  sustain  a  fourth ;  se  those  first  in  posses 
sion  of  the  frail  support,  thinking  three  lives  of  more 
consequence  than  one,  as  the  only  means  of  self-preser 
vation,  pushed  Smith  off  into  the  deep,  and  would  not 
permit  him  to  grasp  their  piece  of  wreck. 

The  poor  fellow  was  for  a  time  quite  at  a  loss  what 
course  to  pursue,  but  time  pressed,  his  strength  was  fast 
failing,  and  he  must  make  some  effort,  even  though  he 
perish  in  the  attempt,  it  could  be  no  worse,  since  he  must 
surely  perish  if  he  remained  where  he  was.  The  whale 
was  then  lying  quietly  upon  the  water,  near  by.  Quick 
as  thought  Smith  conceived  the  hazardous  plan  of  saving 
himself,  by  clinging  to  that  enemy,  which  he  had  just 
been  using  all  his  power  and  skill  to  destroy,  and  as 
quickly  grasped  the  line  attached  to  the  harpoon,  which 
was  still  sticking  in  the  whale,  and  by  its  help  climbed 
upon  his  back,  where,  holding  by  the  handle  of  the  har 
poon,  he  rested  securely  until  a  boat  came  and  took  him 
off !  Then  was  the  moment  when  Smith,  in  the  agony, 
and  from  the  depths  of  his  heart,  cried,  "  Lord  save,  or 
I  perish  ! "  and  Heaven  heard  the  rebel's  prayer,  and 
held  that  mighty  leviathan,  and  made  him  the  means  of 

11 


122  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

his  persecutor's  preservation  !  For  as  soon  as  Smith  was 
taken  off  his  back,  he  went  down  and  came  up  again  a 
half  mile  distant. 

This  terrible  fright  lasted  Smith  nearly  two  weeks, 
during  which  I  again  reminded  him  of  his  crime,  and  of 
his  wanderings  from  the  path  of  rectitude.  I  strove  to  make 
him  realize  how  wonderfully  the  Lord  had  preserved  his 
life,  and  how  mercifully  He  had  dealt  with  him  ;  to  all 
which  Smith  replied,  4  by  promising  that  henceforth  he 
would  serve  the  Lord  better. 

We  reached  Madagascar,  which  is  an  African  island, 
and  of  immense  dimensions  I  am  told,  about  the  first  of 
May  ;  but  I  cannot  give  my  readers  a  geographical  de 
scription  of  it,  as  I  only  went  about  five  miles  inland ; 
nor  need  I,  for  it  might  weary  their  patience,  while  to 
speak  of  some  of  the  manners  and  customs  of  the  inhab 
itants,  might  mantle  with  blushes  the  cheek  of  morality. 
The  soil  is  rich,  producing  in  abundance  rice,  cotton,  corn, 
sugar  cane,  &c. 

The  natives  are  black,  with  long  straight  hair,  slender 
forms,  and  remarkable  for  their  longevity.  They  are 
cunning  and  much  disposed  to  plunder.  Their  religion 
is  Mahomedan,  though  they  practice  many  Jewish  rites, 
such  as  sacrifice  and  burnt  offerings,  for  which  purpose 
they  raise  many  cattle.  They  consider  the  white  man  a 
superhuman  being,  who  can  hold  converse  with  the 
Almighty,  who  will  speak  to  him  as  He  will  not  to  them. 
One  day  they  stood  looking  with  amazement  at  the  mate, 
as  he  was  taking  the  sun's  altitude  with  a  quadrant. 
When  he  had  finished  his  observations,  he  offered  the  in- 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  123 

strument  to  several  of  them,  all  of  whom  refused  it,  say 
ing,  God  would  not  talk  to  them  as  he  did  to  white 


men 


I  was  much  gratified,  upon  conversing  with  them,  to 
learn  that  they  had  some  faint  knowledge  of  the  true  and 
living  God,  and  believed  Mahomet  was  only  a  mediator 
between  God  and  man.  A  woman,  who  I  least  expected 
would  possess  any  such  knowledge,  gave  me  to  under 
stand  that  she  believed  God  dwelt  above  in  the  heavens, 
and  that  at  some  future  time  he  would  come  to  judge  the 
world. 

Wednesday  was  my  day  to  go  on  shore,  and  Thursday 
the  cook's  day.  But  being  one  day  on  shore,  I  learned 
that  the  following  day  was  one  devoted  by  the  natives  to 
sacrificial  offerings,  which  I  would  not  tell  the  cook,  lest 
curiosity  should  prompt  him  to  go  to  see  them,  and  thus 
deprive  me  of  a  chance.  So  I  paid  him  to  stay  and  do 
my  cabin  work,  and  let  me  go  on  shore  again  that  day. 

This  offering  was  to  secure  the  blessing  of  their  Hoker- 
barro,  or  God,  on  the  king  and  his  family.  The  sacrifice 
was  performed  in  this  manner :  three  poles,  15  or  20 
feet  in  length,  with  shorter  ones  lying  across  them,  were 
placed  three  feet  above  the  ground.  When  this  was  done, 
the  sacrificial  bullock  was  brought  to  look  upon  it,  after 
which  he  was  killed,  his  blood  caught  in  a  calabash,  or 
gourd,  for  a  separate  offering,  and  his  flesh  cut  in  pieces 
and  laid  upon  the  poles,  under  which  a  fire  was  kindled, 
around  which  the  natives  danced,  clapping  their  hands 
while  it  was  burning,  the  whole  performance  being 
accompanied  by  numerous  ceremonies.  The  sacrifice 


124:  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

ends  with  the  sunset,  but  as  my  duty  required  my  at 
tendance  on  shipboard  before  that  time,  I  did  not  witness 
its  conclusion. 

We  remained  in  Madagascar  three  weeks  to  repair  the 
ship,  which  was  .damaged  at  sea.  While  lying  in  port 
four  of  the  crew  escaped,  and  were  concealed  on  shore  by 
the  natives  ;  who  afterwards  came  and  betrayed  them  to 
the  captain  for  a  price.  The  mate,  with  a  boat's  crew  of 
Portuguese,  was  sent  for  them,  with  whom  they  not  only 
refused  to  return,  but  severely  cut  and  bruised  them. 
Afterwards  the  captain,  with  the  captains  of  five  other 
vessels,  then  lying  in  port,  went  for  them,  conducted  by 
the  natives,  who  knew  their  place  of  concealment,  in  a 
native  hut. 

When  he  discovered  them,  the  captain  calmly  told 
them  he  wished  them  to  return  with  him  to  their  duty 
on  board  the  vessel,  to  which  they  readily  gave  their  as 
sent,  saying  they  would  have  gone  before  had  he  sent 
Americans  for  them,  but  that  they  would  not  willingly 
submit  to  be  fettered  by  Portuguese. 

When  they  reached  the  ship,  they  were  placed  in  irons, 
and  put  upon  criminal's  allowance  until  the  next  morn 
ing,  when  it  was  expected  they  would  receive  their  de 
served  punishment.  Our  captain  did  not  wish  to  flog 
them,  as  he  thought  he  could  inflict  some  other  punish 
ment  which  would  prove  more  salutary  and  efficacious ; 
but,  being  pressingly  urged  by  captain  Burton,  of  the 
ship  Sally  Ann,  and  others,  to  do  so,  he  finally  flogged 
three  of  them,  among  whom  was  Smith  ;  while  one,  who 
was  not  concerned  in  resisting  the  Portuguese,  was  suf- 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  125 

fered  to  go  without  his  flogging.  But  before  we  were 
ready  to  leave  Madagascar,  this  very  man  again  escaped 
from  the  vessel,  by  lying  upon  a  plank  and  paddling  him 
self  along  with  his  hands,  he  having  previously  arranged 
with  the  crew  of  the  ship  to  which  he  was  going,  to  re 
ceive  him  on  board  and  conceal  him,  which  they  did,  un 
til  she  was  ready  to  sail  for  New  London,  whither  she 
was  bound,  loaded  with  oil. 


CHAP.  XVIII. 

WE  cruised  around  the  coast  of  Africa  for  whales,  but 
finding  none,  put  into  the  port  of  Johanna,  where  we 
again  met  the  ship  Sally  Ann,  captain  Burton,  who  had 
the  reputation  of  being  a  very  cruel  man. 

While  lying  in  port,  six  or  seven  of  his  men,  taking 
with  them  provisions,  a  compass,  quadrant,  chart,  nauti 
cal  almanac,  spy  glass,  and  other  useful  implements  of 
navigation,  one  morning  before  daylight,  took  a  boat  and 
made  off,  intending  to  go  to  Mohilla,  one  of  the  Comoro 
Islands,  about  ten  miles  from  Johanna.  But  before  they 
were  out  of  sight,  they  were  discovered  from  the  ship. 

Now,  there  is  a  reef  of  rocks  running  about  one  and  a 
half  miles  out  to  sea,  from  the  port  of  Johanna,  which 
are,  at  all  times,  very  dangerous,  in  consequence  of  the 
heavy  seas  which  are  constantly  breaking  over  them. 
When  captain  Burton  discovered  and  gave  chase  to  his 
deserting  crew,  they  ran  at  once  among  these  reefs,  and 

IP 


126  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

thus  escaped,  he  not  daring  to  follow  them,  but  returning 
to  his  ship  much  fatigued  and  exasperated. 

It  seemed  that  the  Johannicans  and  Mohillans  had  been 
at  war  with  each  other,  and  consequently  no  intercourse 
was  permitted  between  the  islands.  Captain  Burton  of 
fered  the  Johanna  king  a  large  reward,  if  he  would  catch 
his  runaways,  and  deliver  them  up  to  him  when  he  re 
turned  from  a  short  cruise,  which  he  was  now  obliged  to 
make,  and  from  which  he  should  return  in  about  three 
weeks.  But  the  king,  fearing  to  approach  the  shores  of 
his  enemy's  island,  only  cruised  about  his  own,  and  of 
course  with  no  success  ;  so  he  finally  gave  up  the  search, 
and  the  ship  was  obliged  to  put  out  to  sea  without  them, 
though  the  captain  swore  he  would  have  them,  if  they 
went  to  hell ! 

Five  days  afterwards  they  discovered  a  sperm  whale, 
after  which  they  immediately  gave  chase.  He  went  down 
and  finally  came  up  very  near  the  captain's  boat,  when 
he  gave  orders  to  harpoon  him,  which  the  boatsteerer  im 
mediately  did,  and  fastened  him.  The  captain  then  went 
forward  to  lance  him,  when  the  whale  struck  him  so  vio 
lent  a  blow  with  his  tail,  as  to  break  both  his  legs,  with 
out  injuring  another  person.  He  was  taken  directly  to 
Johanna,  but  there  being  no  surgeon  there,  he  was  oblig 
ed  to  remain  in  this  painful  situation,  until  an  English 
vessel,  having  one  on  board,  came  into  port.  But  by  this 
time  his  limbs  were  so  badly  swollen,  that  one  of  them 
could  not  be  properly  set,  so  he  was  taken  to  Cape  Town, 
from  whence  he  was  sent  to  America.  Three  of  his  run 
away  crew  were  taken  on  board  a  French  vessel,  nearly 


A  FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  127 

in  a  state  of  starvation,  while  the  rest  actually  perished. 

We  lay  in  this  port  about  a  week.  It  is  a  very  an 
cient  town,  the  houses  of  one  story,  mostly  built  of  stone, 
and  seldom  having  any  windows.  The  inhabitants  are 
Arabs,  Malays  and  Africans.  They  are  of  a  light  brown 
complexion,  and  have  regular  features.  Their  religion  is 
Mahomedan,  the  rites  of  which  they  scrupulously  ob 
serve.  They  are  exceedingly  jealous  of  their  females, 
insomuch  that  they  will  not  permit  them  to  speak  to  any 
man,  out  of  their  own  family  circle.  They  wear  sad 
countenances,  but  are  very  hospitable.  They  have  large 
and  splendidly  decorated  temples,  the  floors  of  which  are 
covered  with  striped  matting,  of  their  own  manufacture. 

One  of  the  natives,  who  seemed  a  man  of  some  in 
fluence  and  high  moral  standing,  one  day  invited  me  to 
visit,  with  him,  one  of  these  temples ;  which  invitation  I 
gladly  accepted.  When  we  reached  the  door,  my  con 
ductor  stopped  to  speak  to  a  person  who  I  supposed  was 
a  priest,  as  he  sat  by  a  table  on  which  lay  a  book  and 
many  papers,  from  which  he  was  reading  in  a  tuneful 
voice.  A  stone  trough  was  standing  beside  the  church. 

I  bolted  at  once  into  the  temple,  without  hesitation, 
but  was  as  soon  brought  back  and  told  that  I  had  defiled 
it,  in  consequence  of  not  purifying  myself  before  enter 
ing.  The  priest  seemed  very  much  offended,  but  led  me 
to  the  trough,  in  which  was  a  constantly  changing  supply 
of  clean,  fresh  water,  and  bade  me  wash  my  hands  and 
feet  before  entering. 

I  was  told  that  my  sacrilegious  entrance,  unpurified, 
would  oblige  them  to  perform  an  extra  sacrifice,  by  way 


128  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

of  atonement.  I  regretted  much  that  I  had  unwittingly 
been  the  cause  of  so  much  trouble,  and  thought  an  ac 
knowledgment  a  sufficient  sacrifice,  but  I  was  mistaken. 

After  being  properly  prepared,  I  was  allowed  to  enter 
and  remain  during  their  service.  I  was  astonished  at 
the  reverence  and  humility  with  which  they  approached 
the  throne  of  grace,  for  they  fell  flat  upon'  their  faces. 

Many  things  might  be  said  concerning  the  manners 
and  customs  prevalent  on  this  Island,  as  also  concerning 
its  towns  ;  but  my  business  is  to  describe  my  voyage  'to 
the  Indian  Ocean,  to  which  I  will  now  return. 

We  left  this  Island,  and  sailed  in  the  direction  of  New 
Zealand,  near  which  we  cruised  five  weeks,  taking  several 
whales  in  the  time.  Four  other  vessels  were  in  company 
with  us  here,  each  of  which  went  in  for  himself,  taking 
whales. 

During  one  of  our  whaling  adventures,  I  unwillingly 
consented  to  accompany  the  mate,  at  his  request.  I  at 
tributed  most  of  the  accidents  to  his  carelessness  ;  not 
withstanding,  he  was  called  a  skillful  whaleman,  there 
fore  I  did  not  like  to  go  with  him.  He  would  rush  to 
attack  a  whale,  like  a  restless  horse  to  battle,  harpooning 
him  without  any  regard  to  order  or  formality,  lest  some 
other  boat  should  secure  him  first.  We  here  took  three 
whales  in  one  week. 

We  one  day  fell  in  with  a  ship  from  Sag  Harbor,  hav 
ing  on  board  the  dead  bodies  of  two  men,  the  captain  of 
which  cam«  on  board  the  Milwood,  one  beautiful  Sabbath 
morning,  when  the  sea  was  as  smooth  as  glass,  to  ask 
our  captain  and  such  of  the  crew  as  chose  to  accompany 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  129 

him,  to  go  on  board  his  ship  and  attend  their  funeral. 

I  went  and  witnessed  what  is,  probably,  one  of  the 
most  solemn  and  affecting  of  scenes, — a  burial  at  sea.  All 
who  witnessed  it  were  affected  with  sadness.  When  all 
was  ready  for  the  final  ceremony,  the  bodies  were  taken 
to  the  waist  gangway,  where  they  were  lashed  upon 
boards,  lying  upon  their  backs,  with  heavy  bags  of  sand 
attached  to  their  feet,  after  which  they  were  committed 
to  the  waves,  and  instantly  sank  into  the  vast  deep. 
Captain  Luce  performed  the  religious  services  with  great 
solemnity. 

After  crusing  in  these  seas  about  two  months,  we  put 
into  a  harbor  on  New  Zealand,  where  we  stayed  one 
week,  and  then  went  to  New  Holland  for  the  cure  of  the 
scurvy,  with  which  the  sailors  were  badly  afflicted,  in 
consequence  of  having  been  so  long  exposed  to  an  atmos 
phere  loaded  with  saline  vapors,  and  of  being  so  long  fed 
upon  salted  food.  Eating  raw  potatoes  is  considered  by 
some  an  excellent  remedy  for  this  disease,  which  com 
mences  with  an  irruption  of  the  skin,  and  ends  in  putre 
faction,  if  not  arrested  in  season  to  prevent. 

Another  remedy,  and  one  to  which  our  sailors  were 
subjected,  is  reckoned  very  good,  namely  :  to  bury  the 
patient  in  the  ground,  all  but  his  head,  for  a  while.  Af 
ter  the  diseased  ones  had  thus  been  cured,  we  cruised  for 
a  long  time  with  no  success,  and  finally  returned  to  the 
Crowsett  Islands  ;  but  even  here  were  unsuccessful. 

We  had  now  been  at  sea  over  two  years,  and  had  com 
pleted  our  cargo,  all  save  50  bbls.,  when  our  captain  de 
cided  to  cruise  towards  home,  keeping  up  a  sharp  look- 


130  LITE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

out,  until  we  were  beyond  the  whaling  ground.  This 
decision  filled  me  with  joy,  for  I  yearned  to  see  my  long 
unseen  family. 

The  captain  said  to  me  one  day,  when  we  had  been 
sometime  homeward  bound,  "  Steward,  I  thought  you 
promised  us  a  full  cargo  to  return  with,  which  you  see 
we  have  not  got ;  so  I  must  think  you  a  hypocrite  !"  I 
told  him  I  still  believed  my  prayers  would  be  answered, 
and  that  we  should  yet  have  a  full  cargo. 

About  two  weeks  after  this,  while  the  ship,  with  all  her 
canvas  spread,  and  with  a  fair  wind,  was  running  after 
the  rate  of  nine  knots  an  hour,  the  man  aloft  saw  two 
whales  in  the  distance.  The  captain  had  offered  ten  dol 
lars  for  a  whale  that  would  furnish  50  bbls.  of  oil,  and 
each  man  was  desirous  of  winning  the  prize.  Prepara 
tions  were  soon  made  to  give  chase  to  the  whales,  who 
were  still  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  ship. 

The  mate's  boat  soon  fastened  one  whale,  but  while 
the  captain  was  striving  to  fasten  the  other,  he  stove  the 
boat  and  tumbled  the  crew  into  the  water.  The  mate's 
crew,  however,  after  killing  their  whale,  took  after  this, 
and  finally  secured  him,  wl^ile  the  second  mate's  boat 
picked  up  the  almost  despairing  crew.  The  two  whales 
filled  150  bbls.  with  oil,  so  that  there  was  not  place  in 
the  ship  to  stow  it,  without  throwing  over  some  of  the 
provisions  to  make  room.  We  then  went  into  Soldonna 
for  refreshment,  and  while  there  lost  four  of  our  crew 
by  desertion. 

We  next  stopped  at  St.  Helena,  which  renowned  place 
I  was  very  glad  to  see,  and.  took  occasion  to  visit  the  res- 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  131 

idence  and  tomb  of  the  Emperor  Napoleon.  But  I  dis 
covered  nothing  very  remarkable  at  either  place,  there 
fore  will  not  weary  my  readers  with  unimportant  descrip 
tion.  After  one  week's  stay  we  left  St.  Helena  for  the 
American  coast. 

About  three  days  out  from  this  island,  we  spoke  a  ship, 
recently  from  home,  fry  which  the  captain  learned  that 
since  he  left  home  his  wife  had  given  birth  to  a  son. 
This  filled  him  with  joy,  and  made  him  so  anxious  to 
reach  home,  that  he  ordered  the  mate  to  put  the  ship  un 
der  all  the  sail  which  she  would  bear. 

The  wind  blew  so  furiously  that  it  sometimes  seemed 
as  if  the  sails  must  all  be  carried  away  ;  but  like  a  gal 
lant  bark,  the  ship  safely  outrode  the  whole,  and  arrived 
at  New  Bedford.  No  pilot  being  in  sight,  we  had  to  fire 
twenty  rounds  from  the  cannon  as  a  signal,  before  we 
could  raise  one.  At  last,  however,  to  our  great  joy,  a  pi 
lot  boat  hove  in  sight,  dancing  over  the  waves,  when 
shouts  were  heard,  "  0,  sir,  we  shall  soon  get  into  har 
bor  I"  Then  the  joyful  hymn  was  sung : — 

"  By  faith  I  see  the  land, 

The  port  of  endless  rest ; 
My  soul,  each  sail  expand, 
And  fly  to  Jesus'  breast. 
Oh !  may  I  gain  that  heavenly  shore, 
Where  winds  and  waves  disturb  no  more." 

But  our  singing  was  soon  turned  into  sighing,  our  joy 
into  sadness,  for  our  pilot,  being  unacquainted  with  the 
New  Bedford  channel,  could  only  take  us  in  sight  of  the 
city,  where  we  were  left  nearly  two  days  to  brood  over 
our  bitter  disappointment. 


132  LIFE   OF  JOHN   THOMPSON. 

How  often  do  professed  ministers  of  the  Christian 
Church  pretend  to  lead  the  anxious  soul  to  the  haven  of 
eternal  rest,  when  they  are  themselves  ignorant  of  the 
way,  and  of  course  leave  him  in  the  gulf  of  despair  to 
mourn  his  sad  disappointment.  But  the  right  pilot  came 
at  last  and  took  us  into  New  Bedford,  and  Oh,  what  joy 
filled  my  soul,  when  I  was  once  more  permitted  to  enter 
the  congregation  of  the  righteous,  and  to  hear  the  sound  of 
the  Gospel  Trumpet. 

But  my  bliss  was  not  complete,  for  I  had  a  family  in 
Philadelphia,  whom  I  must  hasten  to  see,  that  they  might 
participate  in  my  joy,  and  unite  with  me  in  praises  to 
God  for  my  safe  preservation  through  so  long  a  voyage  ; 
so,  as  soon  as  I  received  my  wages,  I  left  New  Bedford. 
Before  I  left,  the  captain  and  mate  both  called  to  see  me, 
the  former  giving  me  ten,  and  the  latter  five  dollars,  tell 
ing  me  to  live  faithful  until  death,  and  asking  me  to  pray 
for  them,  which  I  promised  to  do,  then  bade  them  fare 
well,  and  left  for  Philadelphia. 


CHAP.  XIX. 

WHILE  at  sea  and  learning  the  uses  of  the  various 
nautical  instruments,  I  also  studied  their  spiritual  appli 
cation,  for  nothing  else  so  much  resembles  the  passage  of 
a  Christian  from  earth  to  glory,  as  a  gallant  ship  under 
full  sail  fo?  some  distant  port.  The  parallel  between 


A  FUGITIVE    SLAVE.  133 

skips  and  souls,  of  course  does  not  extend  to  their  original 
structure  or  nature,  since  one  is  mere  inert  matter,  fash 
ioned  by  human  skill,  visible  and  perishable ;  while  the  oth 
er  is  immortal,  invisible,  and  the  direct  handiwork  of  God. 

Simplicity  of  nature  must  ever  insure  immortality 
under  a  government  where  the  annihilation  of  created  be 
ings  is  impossible.  Yet  numerous  are  the  circumstances 
in  which  the  parallel  will  hold,  and  where  the  propriety 
of  the  metaphor  is  apparent.  Let  us  contemplate  some 
few  of  these  for  a  moment,  for  time  would  fail  us  to  re 
view  the  curious  machine  in  all  its  parts,  and  speak  of 
its  accommodating  and  beautiful  comparison  with  the  fac 
ulties  of  a  rational  soul ;  or  to  the  grace  of  one  regener 
ated  and  sanctified  by  the  spirit  of  God. 

Pleasant  and  entertaining  as  it  might  be,  to  consider 
how  this  metaphorical  ship  uses  conscience  for  its  helm? 
the  understanding  for  its  rudder,  judgment  and  reason- 
for  its  masts,  its  affections  for  sails  ;  how  education 
stands  in  the  place  of  carving  and  gilding ;  how  the  pas 
sions  represent  too  full  sails,  thus  producing  danger  from 
foundering  ;  how  pride  represents  the  too  taut  rigging ; 
how  assumed  professions  represent  deceptive  and  ruinous 
false  colors  ;  yet,  we  must  necessarily  waive  all  such  con 
siderations. 

Still,  we  must  pause  to  admire  the  excellence  of  the 
model  of  this  work  of  God,  as  much  the  highest  of  all 
this  lower  creation,  as  a  ship  is  superior  to  every  other 
work  of  human  art.  Nor  can  any  words  sufficiently  de 
plore  that  misfortune  by  which,  on  its  first  being  launch 
ed  upon  the  ocean  of  life,  this  noble  vessel  was  dashed 

12 


134  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

on  the  rocks  of  presumption,  and  thus,  in  an  unlucky 
moment,  condemned  and  cast  away  utterly  unfit  for  ser 
vice. 

How  poor  a  pilot  is  man,  even  with  his  highest  know 
ledge  and  ability,  and  how  unfit  to  take  his  soul  into  his 
own  keeping.  And  how  magnanimous  the  grace  of  the 
generous  Owner,  who,  instead  of  destroying  that  insignifi 
cant  wreck,  as  might  have  been  expected,  was  pleased  to 
repair  the  ruins  ;  notwithstanding  he  was  well  aware  it 
would  be  a  work  of  more  difficulty  and  labor,  than  to 
construct  an  entirely  new  one,  which  could  have  been 
done  by  a  word ;  while  to  restore  the  old  wreck,  would 
cost  the  greatest  treasure  in  heaven,  the  life  of  the  great 
owner  and  builder's  only  begotten  and  well  beloved  son ! 
Oh,  amazing  love  !  that  could  so  highly  value  things  so 
worthless  ;  'things  only  fitted  to  be  cast  into  the  den  of 
wild  and  furious  beasts,  or  the  dreary  abode  of  unclean 
birds ! 

From  the  Omnipotent  Power  and  Infinite  Skill  of  the 
divine  undertaker  of  the  work,  as  well  as  the  invaluable 
price  given  to  defray  the  expenses,  reason  would  imme 
diately  conclude,  that  in  rebuilding  this  moral  and  spir 
itual  structure,  which  was  shipwrecked  in  Adam,  but  re 
deemed  in  Christ,  no  pains  would  be  spared,  nor  anything 
omitted,  which  would  be  necessary  to  complete  the  work 
on  which  Jehovah's  heart  was  set,  and  to  make  the  sec 
ond  structure  more  glorious  than  the  first. 

Nor  was  the  conclusion  unfounded,  for  every  material 
was  purchased  by  the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  and  laid 
in  bountifully  by  the  gracious  owner.  Every  piece  is 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  135 

hewn  by  the  law  in  the  work  of  conviction  ;  every  facul 
ty  purged  from  sin  and  guilt  by  the  great  atonement,  re 
ceived  by  faith  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  every  plank  bent  by  the 
fire  of  divine  love,  all  fitted  to  their  places  by  the  invinci 
ble  energy  of  sovereign  grace,  and  the  structure  is  com 
pleted  according  to  the  model  prepared  in  the  council  of 
peace,  and  published  in  the  gospel,  which  divine  illumi 
nation  is  made  visible  to  the  mental  eye,  through  which 
it  is  received  into  the  heart,  and  leaves  its  impress  there. 
Destined  for  a  voyage  of  vast  importance,  in  seas  be 
set  with  dangers  and  perils,  this  new  vessel  will  find 
nothing  more  needful  than  a  strong  and  sound  bottom. 

If  faith  is  not  genuine  and  enduring ;  if  those  princi 
ples  typified  by  the  planks  and  timbers  of  a  ship,  be  rot 
ten  or  unsound  at  heart,  not  consistent  with  each  other, 
arid  not  shaped  so  as  to  lie  compactly ;  or  if  each  is  not 
well  secured  by  bolts  of  the  endurable  metal  of  eternal 
truth  from  the  mine  of  divine  revelation  ;  if  all  is  not  care 
fully  caulked  with  the  powerful  cement  of  unfailing  love 
and  redeeming  blood  ;  in  a  word,  if  Christ  is  not  the  sole 
foundation,  and  his  righteousness  the  grand  security, 
then  on  the  slightest  trial,  the  seams  open,  the  vessel 
bilges,  and  every  soul  on  board  is  lost. 

From  the  hour  of  active  conversion,  the  redeemed  soul 
is  launched  upon  the  deep,  and  moves  in  a  new  element. 
As  she  proceeds  onward,  and  greater  depths  surround 
her,  the  amazing  wonders  of  divine  counsel  appear  more 
manifest,  which  had  hitherto  been  unknown  and  un- 
fathomed  by  any  human  line ;  the  latent  corruptions 
within  its  own  recesses  appear  more  terrible  as  farther 


136  LIFE   OF   JOHN   THOMPSON, 

explored,  and  every  new  glimpse  still  more  affrights  and 
humbles  ;  while  the  mysterious  arid  inexplicable  depths 
of  divine  Providence,  with  its  mercies,  judgments,  and 
deliverances  also  rise  to  view. 

She  floats  on  an  ocean  of  trouble,  where  temptations 
inflame  the  appetite,  and  weaken  good  resolutions,  as 
worms  pierce  through  and  destroy  the  bottom  of  a  vessel. 
Trials  follow  each  other,  as  wave  succeeds  wave ;  nor 
should  we  feel  ourselves  alone,  nor  more  sorely  tempted 
than  others,  in  this,  since  it  is  the  experience  of  every 
one  who  floats  upon  life's  ocean  billows.  When  our  sor 
rows  are  mitigated,  our  thankfulness  should  increase  ; 
and  when  the  clouds  of  grief  become  thicker  and  darker, 
it  should  wean  us  more  effectually  from  earthly  things, 
.and  kindle  within  us  a  more  ardent  desire  for  heavenly 
things. 

Nor  should  the  Christian  repine  at  his  afflictions,  for 
-he  could  not  well  do  without  them,  since  no  means  is 
more  effectual  to  weaken  the  force  of  inate  sin,  or  to  wean 
him  from  his  earthly  idols,  even  as  the  heat  of  a  furnace 
keeps  the  seething  metal  in  commotion,  while  it  separates 
and  drives  off  the  dross ;  or  the  unceasing  rolling  of  the 
restless  ocean,  which,  I  am  told  serves  to  keep  its  waters 
pure.  In  contemplating  the  fickleness  of  this  uncertain 
world,  let  us  not  fail  to  draw  instruction  therefrom. 

Bound,  as  she  is,  to  take  a  voyage  on  this  restless, 
troubled  ocean,  the  spiritual  ship  must  not  only  be  fur 
nished  with  rigging  suited  to  such  a  bottom  as  I  have 
described,  but  she  must  also  be  provided  with  all  neces 
sary  nautical  instruments  before  she  can  safely  put  to 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  137 

sea ;  and  oh,  how  carefully  has  her  gracious  owner  been, 
that  all  her  wants  should  be  supplied. 

An  invariable  and  unfailing  compass  is  furnished  by 
the  Sacred  Scriptures,  whose  direction  may  be  safely  fol 
lowed  in  the  darkest  night.  The  divine  illumination  will 
serve  as  a  quadrant  by  which  the  Christian  may  discov 
er  his  own  latitude,  and  his  position  in  regard  to  the  path 
of  rectitude  and  duty  ;  but  in  vain  will  the  most  experi 
enced  seaman  attempt  to  do  this,  unless  his  sun  shines, 
and  his  horizon  is  clear. 

How  often,  by  persuading  men  to  neglect  the  use  of 
this  quadrant,  and  thereby  lose  their  true  situation,  has 
satan  decoyed  men  to  accept  his  pilotage,  and  trust  to 
his  skill,  until  he  had  led  them  clear  out  of  the  right 
course,  to  the  very  mouth  of  the  gulf  of  despondency, 
among  rocks  and  quicksands  on  all  sides. 

Through  the  spy  glass  of  faith,  the  Christian  may 
discover  his  faithful  starry  guides,  although  the  heavens 
be  shrouded  in  clouds  ;  or  may  descry  the  approaching 
enemy,  and  avoid  him  ;  or  may  discover  the  far  off  haven 
of  security.  In  the  same  manner  self-examination  may 
supply  to  the  believing  soul  a  line  and  lead,  whereby  to 
sound  the  waters,  discover  the  way,  and  learn  his  dis 
tance,  both  from  the  port  of  departure  and  that  to  which 
he  is  bound. 

A  longing  to  arrive  at  a  blessed  end  of  the  voyage, 
serves  as  an  hour  glass,  by  which  he  may  mark  the  swift 
ly  passing  hours,  and  so  reckon  his  time,  that  he  may  be 
able  to  give  a  correct  account  of  it  to  the  great  ship  own 
er  ;  especially  as  he  is  sensible  that  not  one  hour  can 

12* 


138  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

pass  unremarked.  This  glass  also  admonishes  him  to  set 
the  watch  at  the  exact  minute,  lest  the  steersman  sleep 
at  his  helm,  the  hands  slacken  their  diligence  in  duty, 
the  vessel  lose  its  way,  or  storms  or  enemies  come  una 
wares  and  find  it  unprepared.  Precious  moments,  how 
swiftly  they  fly,  every  wave  of  the  wing  hastening  us  on 
ward  to  eternity.  Oh,  that  Christians  would  more  care 
fully  note  their  falling  sands,  and  renew  their  watch 
more  frequently.  Failing  to  do  this,  caused  David's  pen 
itential  agony,  and  Peter's  bitter  tears  of  anguish. 

To  often  try  the  pump  is  no  less  necessary  than  to 
change  the  watch,  for  which"  purpose  is  given  sincere  re 
pentance,  such  as  sinks  to  the  bottom  of  the  heart,  search 
es  out  every  lust  and  evil  desire,  brings  it  to  the  surface, 
and  casts  it  out,  as  does  the  pump-rod  the  stagnant  blige- 
water,  which,  if  allowed  to  remain,  would  finally  sink  the 
vessel. 

On  the  ocean  of  life,  where  we  are  constantly  meeting 
vessels,  steering  in  every  possible  direction,  would  that 
Christians  would  show  the  same  courtesy  and  kindness 
to  each  other,  that  seamen  of  every  nation  and  under  all 
colors,  do.  Then,  with  what  true  interest  would  they 
hail  each  other,  with  what  courtesy  answer  when  asked 
where  they  were  bound,  and  with  what  good  wishes  send 
them  on  their  way  to  their  place  of  destination.  With 
what  truthfulness  would  they  give  an  account  of  their 
voyage,  of  their  adventures,  of  their  cargo,  and  also  of 
their  reasons  for  the  hope  that  is  within  them,  with  fear 
and  meekness  ;  so  that  believers  might  in  this  way  be 
come  comforters,  helpers,  and  directors  to  each  other. 


A   FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  139 

And  that  they  might  be  thoroughly  furnished  for  so 
good  a  work,  their  gracious  owner  has  put  on  boar 
silver  trumpet,  whose  sound  is  never  false  nor  unreliable. 
I  mean  the  Gospel,  which  brings  glad  tidings  to  all  with 
in  sound  of  its  voice,  and  speaks  in  a  language  which 
people  of  all  nations  can  understand.  In  this  language 
all  may  converse  together,  however  much  they  may  differ 
in  other  things  ;  and  all  imbued  with  its  spirit  will  glad 
ly  bear  each  other  company,  and  hold  communion  togeth 
er,  in  so  far  as  time  and  circumstances  will  allow. 

Defensive  arms,  also,  are  necessary  for  the  safety  of 
the  voyage,  and  accordingly,  see  how  completely  the 
thoughtful  owner  has  equipped  the  ship  at  his  own  ex 
pense.  A  full  inventory  of  the  armory  may  be  found 
recorded  in  Ephsians,  6:  14 — 18. 

But  all  else  would  fail  were  a  cable  and  anchor  want 
ing,  both  which  are  supplied,  the  one  by  hope,  the  other 
by  faith.  Thus  completed  and  supplied  with  every 
necessary,  the  good  ship  takes  in  her  lading.  The  vari 
ous  gifts  and  graces  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  together  with 
the  hopes  and  comforts  arising  from  their  exercise ;  the 
bracelets,  the  signets,  and  stuffs,  the  evidences  and  man 
ifestations  of  the  divine  favor  ;  goodly  pearls  selected 
from  the  treasury  of  unsearchable  riches  in  Christ  Jesus, 
all  the  special  furniture,  privileges,  enjoyments,  and  ex 
periences  of  the  true  believer,  purchased  for  him  by  the 
blood  of  his  dying  Redeemer,  are  now  put  on  board  by 
orders  of  the  Spirit  of  Si  uciification  :  while,  at  the  same 
time,  every  needful  store  is  furnished  by  the  precious 
promises  and  glorious  truths  of  the  gospel,  of  which  a 


140  LIFE   OF  JOHN  THOMPSON, 

spirit  of  faith  and  prayer  keeps  the  key,  from  whence 
the  believer  may  daily  draw  and  drink  of  the  waters  of 
Life ;  and  upon  which  he  may  fare  sumptuously  every 
day. 

Bound  for  the  port  of  endless  rest,  the  soul  thus  equip 
ped  receives  sailing  orders  from  £he  inspired  oracles, 
which,  at  the  same  time,  commands  her  to  forsake  all,  to 
deny  herself,  to  take  up  the  cross,  and  to  follow  the  Lamb 
whithersoever  he  goeth.  If  sincerely  desirous  to  pro 
ceed,  she  will  be  very  careful  to  have  all  things  in  readi 
ness,  and  all  hands  in  waiting  for  a  favorable  wind,  with 
out  which  the  truest  helm  or  the  ablest  steersman  will  be 
of  no  avail.  Oh,  Christian  friends,  were  we  but  as  earn 
est  for  the  port  of  glory,  as  the  mariner  is  for  some 
earthly  port,  we  should  not  often  be  found  loitering  or  off 
our  duty.  Our  prayers  would  ascend  with  every  breath, 
that  the  heavenly  gale  would  spring  up,  and  awake  the 
church  from  her  lethargic  slumbers. 

How  carefully  then  should  we  accompany  our  prayers 
with  watching,  needfully  marking  every  changeful  ap 
pearance  of  the  sky.  How  eagerly  should  we  seize  the 
first  favorable  moment,  when  the  long  wished  for  oppor 
tunity  of  sailing  was  in  our  power.  Eager  for  departure, 
we  would  not  willingly  lose  one  fair  breeze,  knowing  that 
without  this  all  previous  preparations  were  fruitless.  Nor 
must  the  fairest  gale  entice  us  to  sea  without  the  heaven 
ly  pilot ;  for  without  thee,  blessed  Jesus,  we  can  do  noth 
ing  ;  to  thee  we  must  turn  in  every  difficulty,  and  upon 
thee  call  in  every  time  of  danger.  We  dare  trust  no 
other  at  the  helm,  because  no  other  can  safely  steer  us 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  141 

past  the  rocks  and  quicksands.  How  kind  thy  promise, 
to  be  with  us  when  passing  through  deep  and  da..0^ .  v  us 
waters.  How  gracious  thy  word  which  engages  never  to 
leave  nor  forsake  us.  We  will  confidently  leave  our  fee 
ble  vessel  entirely  to  thy  guiding  care,  to  shape  its  course 
and  direct  its  way  ;  nor  will  we  dread  the  greatest  dan 
ger,  with  thy  hand  upon  the  helm,  believing  no  hidden 
rock  can  escape  thy  penetrating  eye,  nor  any  storm  or 
danger  surpass  thy  skill,  or  counteract  thy  unbounded 
power. 

The  hour  arrives,  all  is  in  readiness,  the  pilot  gives 
the  signal,  the  anchor  is  weighed,  and  with  all  sails  set, 
our  bark  proceeds  to  sea.  What  more  majestic  sight 
than  a  gallant  ship,  under  full  sail,  wafted  by  a  fair  gale, 
proudly  cutting  her  way  through  the  vast  deep  ?  And 
so  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  spreading  every  sail,  that  the  kind 
ly  gales  of  the  spirit  of  all  grace,  may  waft  it  safe  to  the 
heavenly  port,  while  the  beams  of  the  sun  of  Righteous 
ness  gild  and  brighten  the  scene. 

Such  halcyon  days  are  sometimes  vouchsafed  to  the 
young  convert,  just  starting  on  life's  new  voyage.  Oh, 
how  sfcould  he  improve  them  while  within  his  reach,  by 
preparing  for  the  coming  change  !  But  alas  !  the  treach 
ery  of  the  heart  sometimes  perverts  such  favors  into  oc 
casions  of  spiritual  pride.  Then  may  be  seen  displayed 
the  colors  of  mere  profession ;  the  Streamers  of  confi 
dence  flying ;  the  top  gallant  sails  of  self-conceit  hoist 
ed  ;  the  haughty  royals  set,  and  the  vessel  of  self-right 
eousness  mounted  loftily  on  the  waves. 

Alas !  how  many  have  been  thus  wrecked  in  a  vain- 


142  LIFE  OF  JOHN   THOMPSON, 

glorious  moment ;  and  life  has  paid  the  forfeit  of  such, 
insolence  of  heart,  disdaining  to  proportion  the  sail  to  the 
ballast.  Such  an  abuse  of  mercy  could  not  escape  the 
all-penetrating  eye.  The  golden  season  suddenly  expires, 
and  is  succeeded  by  a  dead  calm.  The  poor  self-admirer 
lays  his  head  in  the  lap  of  some  bewitching  Delilah,  who 
lulls  him  to  sleep  with  her  siren  songs. 

Now  all  the  Christian  graces  lie  dormant ;  all  pre 
cepts,  ordinances  and  means  are  lost  on  a  person  so  faci- 
nated ;  while  the  rolling  billows  serve  only  to  rock  him 
into  a  deeper  sleep.  With  no  guide  at  the  helm,  such  a 
ship  gains  nothing  in  her  course.  Could  conscience  only 
gain  a  hearing,  all  hands  would  quickly  be  roused  to  pre 
pare  for  the  coming  storm  ;  the  leisure  of  the  threaten 
ing  calm  would  not  be  consumed  in  slothfulness. 

Instead  of  inactivity  and  delay,  when  dangers  threat 
en,  the  real,  active  believer  is  on  the  alert.  While  be 
calmed,  he  is  examining  his  stores  and  cargo,  patching 
his  sails,  and  splicing  his  rigging.  Spy  glass  in  hand, 
he  is  searching  for  a  clear  coast.  His  journal  is -revised 
and  his  reckoning  adjusted,  his  quadrant  applied  and  his 
observations  compared.  Did  we  but  judiciously  ftnploy 
the  hour  of  tranquility,  we  should  have  little  to  fear  from 
tempests- 

But  while  all  hands  are  negligently  folded  in  security, 
and  thoughtlessness  fills  the  dreams  of  all,  the  change 
comes,  contrary  winds  arise,  obstacles  spring  up,  difficul 
ties  beset  the  way,  and  all  where  least  expected.  Now 
we  are  forced  by  adversity  to  lower  those  sails,  which,  in 
the  season  of  sunshine  we  hoisted,  just  to  gain  applause* 


A  FUGITIVE   SLAVE.  143 

Like  Babylon,  which,  in  its  pride,  vainly  exalted  itself, 
and  was  finally  humbled.  Dan*  5  :  20.  Ob.  1  :  3. 

But  notwithstanding  adverse  winds  may  blow,  the 
faithful  mariner  will  not  haul  in  all  sail,  and  lash  the 
helm,  thus  leaving  his  vessel  to  the  sport  of  fate.  On 
the  contrary,  he  will  lose  no  chance  of  taking  advantage 
of  every  fair  breeze,  to  do  which  he  will  trim  his^sails  to 
the  wind,  laying  his  course  as  near  as  possible,  even 
though 'he  cannot  lay  it  direct.  With  the  Bible  in  his 
hand  for  his  compass,  he  steers  his  way,  going  not  to  the 
conclaves  of  councils,  nor  to  the  decrees  of  earthly  po 
tentates  for  his  creed  or  the  rule  of  his  duty.  ' 

Disdaining  to  be  the  slave  of  popularity,  he  will  neith 
er  embrace  opinions  because  of  their  fashionableness,  nor 
trim  his  principles  to  suit  the  times,  nor  yet  follow  the 
multitude  to  do  evil.  By  experience  he  is  taught  to 
trust  no  mere  professions,  but  like  the  panting  slave  flee 
ing  from  the  bondman's  chains  and  dungeon,  he  is  sus 
picious  of  even  a  brother  fugitive,  who  says  he  is  travel 
ling  the  same  road,  lest  he  should  be  betrayed.  For 
freedom,  like  eternal  life,  is  precious,  and  a  true  man 
will  risk  every  power  of  body  or  mind  to  escape  the 
snares  of  satan,  and  secure  an  everlasting  rest  at  the 
right  hand  of  God. 


THE  END. 


